At the 2024 WWE Money In The Bank pay-per-view, John Cena shocked fans by making an unexpected reappearance and hinting towards his impending 2025 retirement from the professional wrestling world.
The wrestling community held Cena on a pedestal; however, an ex-WWE employee expressed his lingering disdain for The Champ.
From 2008 to 2009 and 2010 to 2012, Freddie Prinze Jr. was a part of the WWE’s creative team. Even after leaving WWE, Prinze remained an active figure in the pro wrestling landscape.
In a recent episode of his “Wrestling With Freddie” podcast, Prinze Jr. revealed an incident about his initial encounter with Cena, who was the top Superstar of WWE during that period.
Prinze Jr. recalled that when he stepped forward to greet Cena with a handshake, The Cenation Leader seemed to ignore his goodwill gesture.
Furthermore, Prinze Jr. claimed that Cena was not receptive to his joining the WWE initially. He elaborated by saying,
“Upon my arrival, he [John Cena] was openly uncomfortable with my presence. The first time our paths crossed, I was extremely courteous, extending my hand for a handshake, which he passed by as if I was invisible. I think someone must have mentioned this to him as a few minutes later, he approached me introducing himself as ‘John,’ and offered his hand. In response, I said, ‘I’m Freddie. Pleased to meet you.’ His reply was something akin to, ‘I can see they’ll just hire anyone here.’ I’m not directly quoting him but it was something to that effect.”
Prior to his official retirement, Cena is set to face off in WWE Royal Rumble 2025, Elimination Chamber 2025, and WrestleMania 41. Further information concerning his retirement journey is still to be disclosed.