Why John Cena Doesn't Have Any Children

John Cena is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of 2022. After years in the WWE and in the film industry, he had his first major leading role in "The Peacemaker," reprising his scene-stealing character in "The Suicide Squad." With his career blossoming, fans may wonder what his private life looks like.

For six years, Cena was in a relationship with fellow wrestler Nikki Bella. The two were engaged for a year, but Cena and Bella ultimately split. "Nikki and John truly love each other, but they will never have the same view on a perfect future," an insider told Entertainment Tonight. Bella wanted children, while Cena cared more about his career. Instead of leading her on, Cena called things off three weeks before their wedding. "They are both dedicated to their careers, but Nikki wants more than just that; she couldn't get past the idea of not having her own baby."

After their split, both Cena and Bella moved on. Bella is now married to Artem Chigvintsev and has one child, while Cena married Shay Shariatzadeh. The actor remains happily childless, something he is incredibly open about.

Despite being married to Shay Shariatzadeh for two years, John Cena remains childless. The reasoning behind his choice is simple and deliberate.

"You have to have passion for it," Cena said as a guest on "The Drew Barrymore Show" speaking to the eponymous host. "You have to have fuel for it." Despite many suggesting he would be a great dad, Cena said he simply would not have the time to be a dedicated parent to have the career he wants. "It's like saying to someone, 'Man, you know, you're pretty good with your hands, you'd be a great carpenter,' but if I want to be an actor, I'll be an actor.'"

However, an inside source told Us Weekly in August 2022 that Cena was "warming to the idea" of having his own children. "It's different with Shay, he feels wiser and more ready for the responsibility," the insider dished, adding that having a family is "something they'd both love, for sure."

While John Cena doesn't have his own children, the wrestler-turned-actor cares a lot for the younger generations. In fact, Cena holds the Guinness World Record for most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with a staggering 650 wishes. Even COVID-19 didn't hold him back from granting a fan's wish.

Cena is always game to grant kids' wishes. "If you ever need me for this ever, I don't care what I'm doing — I will drop what I'm doing and be involved because I think that's the coolest thing," Cena said of Make a Wish, via The Guardian. "If I can offer a fantastic experience, I'll be first in line to do my part." In his "The Drew Barrymore Show" interview, Cena expressed he enjoys sharing the "joy" and "connection" of making a child happy through the foundation, per Page Six.

As for whether he will one day share that connection with a child of his own, Cena told The US Sun in 2021 that he is "realizing there is life and life exists and it's beautiful — and I think part of that is being a parent, so we'll see."