Former WWE United States Champion reacts to John Cena retiring; calls him "mentor"
In a move that sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe, John Cena recently revealed that he would be hanging up his boots in 2025. Now, the former United States Champion, Baron Corbin has commented on the future Hall of Famer's retirement news.
The Lone Wolf and Cena have gone face-to-face three times inside the squared circle in the past few years. However, the 16-time World Champion is undefeated against Baron Corbin.
When The Franchise Player announced his retirement at the 2024 Money in the Bank, the 39-year-old requested WWE to let him wrestle Cena at Bad Blood or Elimination Chamber 2025.
In an interview with US Magazine, Baron Corbin revealed that he and the former WWE Champion used to train at the same gym before the latter became heavily involved in Hollywood projects. The Lone Wolf also claimed John Cena would offer him encouragement and guidance whenever he felt discouraged, acting as a kind of "mentor."
"We live 10 minutes from each other. I work out at his gym. I would see him on a weekly basis before he was doing all the Hollywood stuff. When I would get frustrated, he became a mentor, in a sense. He would say, ‘Let’s go to dinner. Let’s eat steak and burnt Brussels sprouts, have some wine and we’ll talk through this and figure it out," Corbin said.
Former WWE writer claims John Cena did not like him initially
Former member of WWE creative Freddie Prinze Jr. recently reflected on his first meeting with John Cena. He worked in the Stamford-based promotion from 2008 to 2012 on two separate stints.
On the Wrestling with Freddie podcast, the Hollywood actor revealed The Cenation Leader did not acknowledge him while refusing to shake hands during their initial encounter.
"When I got there he [John Cena] did not want me there at all. And I remember the first time I met him, I was super polite, put my hand out to shake his hand, he walked right past and didn't even like, acknowledge me," Prinze Jr. said.
It remains to be seen which superstar will face John Cena in his last official match in the Stamford-based promotion.