Steve Carrier on December 5, 2025
John Cena isn’t dodging the conversation about Vince McMahon’s massive downfall—and he’s revealing exactly how the man who built WWE also taught him that no one is bigger than the company.
On The Bill Simmons Podcast, the 17-time world champion opened up about McMahon’s departure after facing a lawsuit accusing him of sex trafficking, misconduct, and directing former employee Janel Grant to engage in non-consensual sexual acts with others in the company. The scandal forced McMahon to resign from both WWE and TKO Holdings in early 2024.
John Cena didn’t sugarcoat the situation, but he leaned heavily on one lesson he says McMahon personally taught him: everyone is replaceable.
“So, of all the things he did and of all the things he taught me, one piece that was very important is that no one is irreplaceable. And that’s the truth.”
Despite calling the fallout “unfortunate” and admitting he still has love for Vince and wishing he was still in WWE, Cena made it clear that the show must go on—with or without its longtime leader.
“Vince has so much knowledge. I think what’s happened is unfortunate, because you have this individual with so much depth of field who can still offer things, and we no longer can pull from that. And it’s unfortunate he isn’t in WWE anymore.
Well, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have able-bodied folks who can put on creative programming. So yeah, I never wanted Vince to go, because I love him, and I know how much he loves the business. But he taught me we’re all going to go.”
He even pointed to a time he saw Vince fire “Stone Cold” Steve Austin for missing a date, just to send a message that no one—not even WWE’s biggest draw—was above the system.
“His biggest attraction. ‘I got to let people know this isn’t okay.’ So things happen. We got to let people know this isn’t okay. It’s time for you to go. Everybody goes, man. Everybody goes.”
Cena didn’t defend McMahon’s alleged behavior—but he simply talked about what McMahon built and what happens next.
“The one thing that needs to stand firm is the consumer’s belief in what we do.”
Love him or hate him, John Cena isn’t ducking the hard conversations. And in doing so, he’s putting the focus back on accountability—even at the top.
Do you think John Cena’s comments strike the right balance between loyalty and truth? Should WWE publicly reckon more with the Vince McMahon scandal? Drop your thoughts below—we want to hear from you.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
December 5, 2025 7:07 am
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