John Cena has defended his "emotional connection" to Vince McMahon.
The 48-year-old wrestler turned Hollywood star - who is currently on a year-long retirement tour with WWE - has opened up on the backlash he faced for saying he still "loves" the former WWE boss, who is facing allegations of sex trafficking and sexual misconduct.
Speaking to Us Weekly about the reaction to another recent interview, he said: "Everybody's entitled to their opinion.
"Just like I’m entitled to have an emotional connection to somebody.
"I don’t hold anybody or how they feel or what they view as permissible or things that’ll make them angry, happy, excited, sad. That’s their right as a human being.”
He added that he's "not surprised about any" of the fan response.
Last month, Cena - who is expected to wrestle his retirement match at a special event in Boston in December 2025 - reiterated his feelings for his former boss, who gave him his big break in WWE 23 years ago.
He told the New York Times newspaper: “I don’t care who hears it: I love Vince.
“I’m not downplaying anything that needs to be decided or allegations of any kind, but when I love somebody, I love them wholeheartedly.
“I know people are going to be angry about that, but they can’t put their value on my relationship with somebody I love.”
In 2022, it was reported by the Wall Street Journal that McMahon had paid $12 million to allegedly cover up claims of "sexual misconduct and infidelity" over a 16 year period.
In January 2024, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit accusing the 79-year-old businessman of sex trafficking and sexual assault.
McMahon has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.
His spokesperson previously said: "This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself.”
