Did John Cena Cheat on His First Wife? The Rumors, Denials, and What We Know
John Cena’s first marriage to high school sweetheart Elizabeth Huberdeau (married July 11, 2009; divorced July 18, 2012) has long been fodder for tabloid speculation, especially amid his skyrocketing WWE fame. While Cena has never publicly confirmed infidelity, persistent rumors—fueled by ex-wives’ statements, WWE insiders, and resurfaced stories—suggest he may have strayed multiple times with female superstars. Huberdeau herself reportedly believed he was cheating during their split, though the couple kept details private and settled amicably (with her receiving an estimated $5–10 million settlement). Cena has instead emphasized his grueling WWE schedule as the real marriage-killer, admitting in interviews that he prioritized his “WWE marriage” over his personal one. Here’s a breakdown of the key claims, context, and aftermath.
The Rumors: Alleged Affairs with WWE Divas
Whispers of cheating surfaced during their three-year marriage, often tied to Cena’s on-the-road lifestyle and on-screen pairings that blurred into real life. No concrete evidence (like photos or admissions) has emerged, but multiple sources point to these high-profile links:
| Alleged Affair | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mickie James | 2007–2008 (pre-marriage, but during engagement) | Cena was rumored to date the WWE Diva around the time he proposed to Huberdeau. Their on-screen romance fueled speculation; ex-WWE star Kenny Dykstra claimed Cena used his influence to get him fired after Dykstra dated James first. James has denied a full affair but admitted flirtation. |
| AJ Lee | 2012 (during marriage) | Cena’s storyline “romance” with AJ (April Mendez) allegedly turned real, coinciding with divorce filings. Insiders called it a “brief fling” that strained things; Huberdeau reportedly saw it as the final straw. |
| Kelly Kelly (Barbie Blank) | 2011–2012 | Reports claim Cena dated the former Divas Champion while married; she won her title that year amid the rumors. |
| Kendra Lust (Adult Film Star) | Early 2010s | A wilder tabloid tale alleges a hookup with the porn actress, though unverified and dismissed by most as exaggeration. |
These stories gained traction in 2012 when TMZ reported Huberdeau was “blindsided” by the divorce and suspected cheating. She later retracted public accusations, and the prenup held, but ex-WWE talents like Dykstra have insisted Cena’s “power” swept scandals under the rug.
Cena’s Side: WWE as the “Other Woman”
Cena filed for divorce citing an “irretrievably broken” union, but he’s been candid about the toll of his career. In a 2018 Men’s Health interview and 2025 chat with Stephanie McMahon, he said: “I have made [WWE] my absolute life… I tried marriage once, and I realized my WWE marriage was the one that was going to survive.” He described throwing “cash at my ex-wife” before jetting to events, owning the sacrifices but stopping short of addressing affairs. No lawsuits or confirmations from Cena, who maintains a “clean” public image.
How WWE Played a Role in the Split
Beyond rumors, the wrestling world’s demands amplified tensions:
- Schedule Strain: 200+ days on the road yearly left little room for normalcy; Huberdeau, a non-celeb, felt isolated.
- Home Drama: Petty disputes, like delayed renovations costing more than expected, escalated fights—Cena’s OCD reportedly fueled control issues.
- Fame Pressure: As WWE’s top star, Cena’s 2009 marriage coincided with peak scrutiny, turning private life into gossip fodder.
The divorce was quick and low-key, with Huberdeau moving on as a Florida real estate agent (net worth ~$10M). Post-split, Cena dated Nikki Bella (2012–2018), proposed at WrestleMania 33, but split over kids (he didn’t want them; she did). He married Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020; they seem solid, with Cena praising her as his “meant to be.”
Public and Fan Reactions: Still Buzzing in 2025
On X, the topic flares up sporadically—recent posts tie it to Cena’s heel turn at Elimination Chamber 2025 or his farewell tour, with users joking “Cena cheated on his wife with half the Divas locker room” or dragging it into unrelated beefs. Fans are split: Some defend him as a “family man” now, others call the rumors “swept-under-rug WWE dirt.” No fresh scandals since his 2020 wedding, but as Cena retires from full-time wrestling, expect more retrospectives.
Bottom line: It’s all hearsay—no smoking gun—but the infidelity cloud lingers, intertwined with WWE’s chaotic world. Cena owns the career regrets, not the bedroom ones. If new tea drops (unlikely), it’ll make headlines. Thoughts—believer or skeptic?