Discovering John Cena's Wife: Everything You Need to Know About Shay Shariatzadeh.
John Cena is happily living life alongside his wife, Shay Shariatzadeh. The couple tied the knot on October 12, 2020, at an attorney's office in Tampa, Florida, according to their marriage certificate. They later celebrated their union with a second wedding event in Vancouver, Canada, in July 2022. Cena and Shariatzadeh have been together since March 2019, having met in Canada while he was filming the movie Playing with Fire.
So, who is John Cena's wife? Here’s a closer look at Shay Shariatzadeh and her relationship with the wrestling star.
She hails from Iran
The marriage certificate indicates that while Shariatzadeh currently resides in Vancouver, she was born in Iran.
She is an engineer
Shariatzadeh has been working in Canada as a product manager at Sonatype, an enterprise software firm, a position she began in December 2019. Prior to that, she was employed at Motorola Solutions, where she focused on thermal cameras and video intercom systems, as noted on her LinkedIn profile. Shariatzadeh earned her bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of British Columbia, where she studied from 2008 to 2013. Her passion for engineering was sparked in her youth when her brother brought home a project from his engineering classes that captured her imagination. "I have always enjoyed math and physics," she shared with Avigilon, a subsidiary of Motorola Solutions, in March 2019. "My brother studied engineering in school, and I remember one day he came home with a project, and it was an autonomous car — and that was it!" In addition to her engineering career, Shariatzadeh has also worked as a sales associate at Guess and La Vie En Rose, according to her LinkedIn.
She draws inspiration from her mother
Shariatzadeh's mother, a surgeon, is another significant influence in her life, alongside her brother.
The most resilient and dedicated woman I know is my mother," she shared in Avigilon's International Women's Day feature. "The greatest lesson she imparted to me was the importance of independence and the need to advocate for my desires in life." Shariatzadeh continued, "At the height of her career, she made the brave decision to leave it all behind and relocate our family to Canada for a brighter future. She inspires me to strive to be my best self, to show kindness, and to persevere."
She prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
Shariatzadeh maintains a low profile and is not present on social media, which reflects the couple's preference for privacy.
"He is quite the romantic," a source revealed shortly after their wedding, noting that the "...[private ceremony] was expected. He simply wanted to keep it away from the public eye."
Their first encounter was at a restaurant.
Cena first spotted Shariatzadeh while she was dining with friends at a Vancouver restaurant. During a February 2024 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Cena reminisced about their meeting, explaining that he was there to watch the Super Bowl when one of her friends approached his group for a photo.
"I took a picture with her, and then she introduced me to my future wife. We have our first fan photo, which we proudly display where we keep our hats. It's fantastic," he recalled. "I asked for her number, and she gave it to me. I didn’t wait the usual two days to reach out. I texted her on my way home, saying, 'It was great meeting you, you're stunning, and I'd love to get to know you better if you have some time.' She replied, 'How about going out this weekend?' I said, 'Absolutely.'"
In 2019, she and Cena made their first appearance on the red carpet together.
The couple attended the premiere of Cena's film, Playing with Fire, in October 2019, which was being filmed when he first met Shariatzadeh. Dressed to impress, Cena wore a sharp navy blue suit paired with a white shirt and a red tie, while Shariatzadeh turned heads in a stunning silver and black sequined gown.
"It's a fantastic day for a movie premiere, and I have a beautiful date," Cena shared with Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet. "What makes this event truly special is that, regardless of the projects I take on in the future, this one will always hold a unique significance because I got to work on a special film and meet someone extraordinary."
She is the first woman Cena has been linked to since his relationship with Nikki Bella.
Cena and his former fiancée called off their engagement in April 2018, just weeks before their planned wedding. "While this decision was a tough one, we still have a lot of love and respect for each other," the couple stated on Bella's Twitter. They had been together for six years. Following their split, Bella began dating Dancing with the Stars professional Artem Chigvintsev. Cena, on the other hand, was not publicly associated with anyone romantically until he was seen strolling through Vancouver with Shariatzadeh after a dinner date.
She is a strong supporter of Cena's career.
Shariatzadeh has consistently stood by her husband at major red carpet events. In January 2024, she joined Cena at the London premiere of his film Argylle, where she dazzled in a little black dress, while he looked dapper in a pinstripe suit.
As for Cena's wrestling journey, changes are on the horizon for the couple. In July 2024, he announced his plans to retire in 2025, but it seems he intends to make a memorable exit. During the Netflix premiere of WWE: Raw in January, Cena declared, "I'm going to win the Royal Rumble," with the match scheduled for February 1, 2025. Cena emphasizes her "safety and well-being."
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In April 2024, while on the Armchair Expert podcast, Cena explained his efforts to keep their whereabouts private. "I travel with my wife. We go everywhere together. I certainly value her safety and well-being," he shared. "One of the promises I made to her at the altar was, 'I will never put you or I'll do my best to not put you in undue harm's way.'"
What is John Cena's Net Worth and Salary?
John Cena, the renowned American professional wrestler, bodybuilder, rapper, and actor, boasts a net worth of $80 million. He kicked off his wrestling journey in 1999 with Ultimate Pro Wrestling and joined WWE in 2001.
Cena quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the most celebrated and successful wrestlers in WWE history, capturing numerous titles and headlining several WrestleMania events. Famous for his catchphrase "You Can't See Me" and his signature move, the Attitude Adjustment, Cena has secured a remarkable 16 WWE Championships, five United States Championships, and four Tag Team Championships.
He has also been recognized as WWE's leading merchandise seller on multiple occasions. Beyond wrestling, Cena has made a name for himself in acting, featuring in films such as "The Marine," "12 Rounds," "Trainwreck," and the "Fast and Furious" series. He has hosted popular TV shows like "American Grit" and "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" Throughout his career, Cena has actively participated in philanthropic endeavors, particularly with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where he has granted over 650 wishes for children facing life-threatening illnesses.
He is also a strong supporter of the U.S. military and has received accolades for his charitable contributions. In July 2024, John announced his plans to retire from WWE following WrestleMania 2025.
John Cena Early Life
John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. was born on April 23, 1977, in West Newbury, Massachusetts. He is the second of five boys (Stephen, John, Dan, Matt, and Sean) born to John and Carol Cena. Cena completed his high school education at the private Cushing Academy and later attended Springfield College in Massachusetts, where he played on the football team. He graduated in 1998 with a degree in exercise physiology. To support his bodybuilding aspirations, Cena worked as a limo driver during his early career.
Career
In 1999, Cena joined the Ultimate Pro-Wrestling (UPW) academy in California, founded by Rick Bassman. By April 2000, he had already claimed the title of UPW Heavyweight Champion. Cena made his WWF debut in October 2000 during a SmackDown match, which he unfortunately lost.
However, the WWF provided him with another opportunity at a SmackDown taping in January 2001, where he emerged victorious and subsequently signed a developmental contract.
He was then assigned to the Ohio Valley Wrestling division. Throughout 2001 and into 2002, Cena auditioned for the main WWF roster on four occasions. His charisma, particularly his rapping and trash-talking, quickly made him a fan favorite. In 2004, he achieved a significant milestone by winning the WWE Championship. Over the next decade, Cena solidified his status as the face of WWE, headlining WrestleMania, the franchise's premier event, a record five times. He boasts an impressive tally of 16 world championships, five US championships, and four world tag team championships.
Acting Career
John Cena began his journey in acting shortly after joining WWE. His first film appearance was in "Ready to Rumble" in 2000. In 2006, he landed his first leading role in "The Marine," earning $280,000 for the part, which turned out to be a success, grossing $30 million against a $15 million budget. Over the next ten years, he continued to build his filmography, becoming a box office draw by 2018. Some of his notable films include "Trainwreck" (2015), "Daddy's Home 2" (2017), "Blockers" (2018), and "Playing with Fire" (2019). In 2020, he lent his voice to the polar bear Yoshi in "Dolittle." Cena also portrayed Christopher Smith/Peacemaker in the 2021 film "Suicide Squad," which led to a spinoff series on HBO. Additionally, he appeared in "F9," "Fast X," and the 2023 film "Barbie," with more exciting projects on the horizon.
Real Estate
John resides in the exclusive, gated community of Nature's Reserve located in Land O' Lakes, Florida, about 20 miles north of Tampa. He acquired his 3,704-square-foot residence for $525,000 in January 2005. Since then, the home has seen numerous renovations, and its current value is estimated at around $4 million. Additionally, Cena has a property in the Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego.
This colonial-style residence boasts an infinity-edge swimming pool, a hot tub, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, and a charming gazebo with comfortable seating in the backyard.
Car Collection
John Cena has a passion for collecting rare and custom vehicles, with a collection that exceeds 20 cars, ranging from a classic Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye 350 to a luxurious 2006 Rolls Royce Phantom. In 2017, he faced some legal issues when the Ford Motor Company filed a lawsuit against him for allegedly breaching his purchase agreement by quickly reselling a $500,000 2017 Ford GT supercar after buying it.
However, among all his cars, his 1989 Jeep Wrangler holds a special place in his heart. John has shared the story of this Jeep in various interviews over the years. It was his first significant purchase after signing his initial WWE contract. He recalls… "I signed a contract for myself way, way back when for peanuts. But, I felt like I needed to showcase my accomplishment, and I did with this baby right here." It was… "the first car I ever paid cash for without some money from the parents… I bought it with 80,000 miles on it… Dollar for dollar, this one has given me far and away the most joy. And, this is one that I'll never get rid of."
