John Cena has wowed sold-out arenas on several occasions. In a surprising turn of events, even this seasoned WWE champion confesses to experiencing feelings of anxiety, particularly in completely unexpected situations, such as when he first met his wife.
It was during a recent appearance on a program that John Cena reminisced about his journey from being a rookie wrestler to being a Hollywood actor. He spoke openly about the butterflies he had after his first meeting with Shay Shariatzadeh, the woman he ultimately fell in love with.
John Cena almost missed meeting his wife due to his shyness
Shay Shariatzadeh became the catalyst for John Cena’s change of heart. Judging by their public appearances and holding hands, it is evident that they began dating in March 2019. In October 2020, the couple surprised everyone by secretly getting married in Florida, although rumors had been circulating since February 2020 that they were engaged.
![John Cena](https://www.sportsknot.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_editorial_13911161cl-1024x538.webp)
Although they are famous, Cena and Shariatzadeh prefer to keep their personal lives private rather than sharing their lifestyle with the public. During their first meeting, which took place on “The Howard Stern Show,” Cena admitted feeling anxious as he saw Shay from the other side of the table.
Despite the nerves, The Cenation Leader gathered the courage to ask for her number, and the two embarked on a fast-paced romance. Cena even considered proposing after just three months but decided to wait until they reached their one-year milestone.
John Cena almost missed the chance to meet his wife from being shy to approach her at a restaurant ❤️ pic.twitter.com/84j7hRkSE9
— WrestlingWorldCC (@WrestlingWCC) February 23, 2024
Recalling the shy moment, Cenation Leader noted, “We watched the game, and then the table sitting right across from us – this group of five people walked in. Man, I stopped watching the game. I didn’t even know it was over. I was so bad. Here I am – hell this was half a decade [ago] – I’m 40 and I’m too scared to approach this girl.”
Shay Shariatzadeh: Who is John Cena’s wife?
John Cena had a glorious marriage to Shay Shariatzadeh before he transitioned into acting. He had achieved considerable success in wrestling before embarking on his acting career. Their wedding took place on October 12, 2020, after the pair first met in Vancouver, Washington, where John Cena was shooting.
Shay, a Canadian of Iranian origin, graduated in 2013 from the University of British Columbia with a degree in electrical engineering. In contrast to Cena’s profession, which is filled with public attention, Shay is employed in Vancouver as a product manager.
![John Cena](https://www.sportsknot.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/46-Shay-Shariatzadeh-1200x834-1-1024x712.jpg)
Their romance flourished during the production of “Playing With Fire,” when 16-time champion was instantly taken to Shay’s charisma. This was the beginning of their beautiful relationship. They are a busy pair, yet they still haven’t had any kids.
However, it was her friendship with John Cena that brought her to the attention of the public. Shay’s career path includes positions at Sonatype, Motorola Solutions, and other firms.
How would you quantify John Cena’s nervousness on his first encounter with Shay Shariatzadeh, despite being a well-known global figure? Share your thoughts in the comment section.