The internet is a weird place. One day you’re looking up a recipe for lasagna, and the next, you’re caught in a deep-dive rabbit hole wondering is john cena engaged or if he’s already pulled the trigger on a wedding. Honestly, if you’re still looking for an engagement ring, you’re about four years behind the curve.
John Cena isn't engaged. He's married.
He didn't just get engaged; he bypassed the long, drawn-out public spectacle we all expected after the whole Nikki Bella era. Instead, he went for something way more low-key. He’s been married to Shay Shariatzadeh since 2020. If you missed the memo, don’t feel bad. They’re basically the masters of keeping things on the down-low, which is impressive when you're a 16-time World Champion and a Hollywood heavy hitter.
The Shay Shariatzadeh Era: No More Public Proposals
We all remember the WrestleMania 33 moment. Cena on one knee in the middle of the ring, proposing to Nikki Bella in front of millions. It was peak sports entertainment. But when that relationship ended in 2018, just weeks before their scheduled wedding, something shifted in Cena.
He stopped making his love life a storyline.
When he met Shay Shariatzadeh in 2019, things were different. They met at a restaurant in Vancouver while he was filming Playing with Fire. It wasn't some high-profile celebrity mixer. Shay was there for a friend's birthday; Cena was there to watch the Super Bowl. A friend asked for a photo, they exchanged numbers, and Cena—being the direct guy he is—texted her before he even got home.
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He didn't wait the "two-day rule." He just knew.
When Did They Actually Get Married?
The couple technically tied the knot on October 12, 2020. It wasn't a stadium event. It wasn't televised. They did it at an attorney’s office in Tampa, Florida.
They didn't even have a proper ceremony the first time around. It was a legal formality because they wanted to be "themselves" without the cameras. It took another two years—July 2022—before they finally did the "big" wedding in Vancouver, which was really just a way to celebrate with family in the city where they first met.
Who is Shay Shariatzadeh?
If you're wondering why she isn't all over the tabloids, it's because she has a real job. Shay is an electrical and electronics engineer. She’s worked as a product manager for tech companies like Avigilon and Sonatype.
- Education: University of British Columbia.
- Background: Born in Iran, raised in Canada.
- Vibe: Private, brilliant, and clearly the "anchor" Cena needed.
Cena has been vocal about how much he values her brain. He told Hoda & Jenna that what he finds most attractive about her is her "unshakable sense of self." That’s a far cry from the reality TV drama of his past relationships.
The Retirement Factor and "The Three-Legged Race"
As of January 2026, John Cena is officially stepping back from the ring. He wrapped up his farewell tour in December 2025, with his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. This shift in his career has made his marriage even more central to his life.
During a recent interview with Tom Rinaldi, Cena used a pretty telling metaphor. He said he and Shay are running a "three-legged race." He doesn't care about the approval of the "WWE Universe" or the critics anymore. He only cares about her approval.
"She's the one person... it's her and that's it."
It’s a massive pivot for a guy who used to live for the roar of 80,000 people. Now, he’s more likely to be spotted grabbing coffee in France or walking the streets of Dublin with Shay while he films movies like Little Brother.
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Why People Keep Asking if He’s Engaged
The confusion usually stems from a few things:
- The Nikki Bella Hangover: Their breakup was so massive and so public that some people still associate Cena with "engagement" drama.
- Privacy: Because they don't post "couple goals" photos every five minutes, casual fans assume they're still just "dating" or "engaged."
- Old News Cycles: Search engines sometimes surface old articles from 2020 about their "secret engagement," which confuses people who aren't checking the dates.
Cena has been very intentional about his boundaries. He calls it "bravery in boundaries." He realized that if he shares everything, it doesn't mean as much. By keeping his marriage private, he protects Shay from the toxicity that often comes with being a "celebrity wife."
The "Kids" Question: Has He Changed His Mind?
For years, the reason cited for his split with Nikki Bella was his refusal to have children. He was adamant. Hard no.
Lately, though, the tone has shifted. In a 2024 interview with The Wall Street Journal, and more recently in late 2025, Cena hinted that he’s "warming to the idea." He’s 48 now. Shay is 36. He’s said that being with her makes him feel "wiser" and more ready for the responsibility.
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Does this mean a "Cena Jr." is coming in 2026? Maybe not tomorrow, but the door that was once bolted shut is now definitely ajar.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following John Cena's journey, here’s how to stay updated without falling for the engagement rumors:
- Check the Ring: If you see him on a red carpet (like the Peacemaker Season 2 premiere), look for the band. He wears it.
- Verify the Source: If a headline says "Cena's New Fiancee," it's clickbait. He's been married for over five years.
- Watch for Vancouver: Since Shay is from there and they have a home there, most of their "real" life updates happen in the Pacific Northwest, away from the Hollywood glare.
- Respect the Boundary: Don't expect him to tag her in every post. He uses his social media (especially that weird Instagram with no captions) as a gallery, not a diary.
John Cena has moved into the "husband" phase of his life with the same intensity he brought to the "hustle, loyalty, respect" era. He’s not engaged; he’s committed. And honestly? He seems happier than he’s ever been.