Former WWE couple wanted different futures
Summary
– Nikki Bella said staying with John Cena would have led to a lonely and sad life
– Bella explained that their breakup came down to different feelings about having children
– Cena and Bella were together from 2012 to 2018 before ending their engagement
Nikki Bella is sharing more about why her relationship with John Cena came to an end.
During a recent meet and greet, Bella was asked about her split from Cena. She said the biggest issue was their different views on having children.
Bella explained that Cena was eventually willing to give her that future, but she knew it was not what he truly wanted. For her, that made the decision even harder.
She said the breakup was not about a lack of love. Bella described it as two people who cared deeply for each other but were moving toward very different lives.
Bella also said forcing one person to give up the life they wanted would have created a painful future. She believed that kind of sacrifice would have led to loneliness and sadness for both of them.
Cena and Bella were together from 2012 to 2018. Their relationship became one of WWE’s most visible romances, and Cena proposed to Bella at WrestleMania 33 after their mixed tag team match against The Miz and Maryse.
Bella has previously said things are now comfortable between her and Cena backstage. She has also expressed respect for Cena, his wife, and their relationship.
I’m sorry but this is weird as hell. Nikki was professional about it, but why are people still asking these questions? We all saw what happened on TV already. I get some fans still miss them together, but at some point we need to respect boundaries. He has a wife now!! pic.twitter.com/YiWlKQbuKv
— 𝔍𝔞𝔰 (@nikkigarcialove) May 15, 2026
