Internet rumors are a wild beast. One day you’re minding your own business, and the next, you’re the centerpiece of a global conspiracy involving the face of the WWE. That is exactly what happened when the names Kendra Lust and John Cena started appearing in the same headlines.
If you were lurking on wrestling forums or scrolling through TMZ back in 2012 and 2013, you probably saw the gossip. It was everywhere. People claimed that Cena’s marriage to his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Huberdeau, didn't just end because of "remodeling stress" or career pressure. They claimed there was a secret affair with adult film star Kendra Lust.
But here is the thing: nobody actually had proof.
The Origin of the Scandal
The timing was a mess. John Cena filed for divorce from Elizabeth in May 2012. It was messy. It was public. Liz’s lawyers were openly talking about "searching for evidence" of infidelity to challenge their prenuptial agreement.
That is when the Kendra Lust and John Cena connection caught fire.
A rumor started circulating—mostly on sites like Cageside Seats and Wrestling Inc.—that Cena had been seeing Lust for over a year. Some stories said they met at a gym. Others claimed they were seen together in Florida.
Kendra Lust, being a legitimate wrestling superfan, didn’t exactly shy away from the sport. She posted photos with replica WWE titles. She tweeted about matches. For the hungry gossip mill, this was all the "evidence" needed to link the two together.
What Kendra Lust Actually Said
While Cena kept his mouth shut—which is basically his trademark for personal drama—Kendra didn't. She went on the Wrestling Soup podcast and The Ryback Show years later to set the record straight.
"I have never even met the man," she told interviewers.
Honestly, she sounded more annoyed by the fact that people thought she would disrespect a marriage than the idea of being linked to a celebrity. She admitted she was a fan. She admitted she liked his work. But as for a year-long affair?
She flat-out denied it. Multiple times.
In a weird twist of marketing genius (or just chaotic energy), Kendra actually leaned into the buzz. She eventually filmed an adult parody featuring a Cena-like character. It was a classic move to capitalize on the SEO of her own name being dragged through the mud.
Why the Rumor Stuck Like Glue
People love a "fallen hero" narrative. At the time, John Cena was the ultimate "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect" babyface. He was the guy who never gave up and always did the right thing. Seeing a crack in that armor—especially a scandalous one involving an adult actress—was too juicy for the internet to let go.
Plus, Cena’s track record with other coworkers didn't help.
- Mickie James: It’s pretty well-documented in the wrestling world that Cena and Mickie James had a relationship that supposedly led to some awkward backstage politics with Kenny Dykstra.
- Victoria (Lisa Marie Varon): There were brief rumors about them as well.
- AJ Lee: Rumors swirled during their 2012 on-screen storyline.
Because Cena had a history of dating within the industry, fans found it easy to believe he’d stepped outside the WWE bubble too.
Separating Fact From Fan Fiction
When you look at the evidence for Kendra Lust and John Cena, it’s basically non-existent. There are no paparazzi photos. There are no leaked texts. There are no "sources close to the couple" who ever went on the record with anything substantial.
It was a perfect storm of a high-profile divorce and a famous fan who happened to work in a controversial industry.
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Elizabeth Huberdeau eventually dropped her opposition to the divorce, and she and Cena reached a private settlement. If there had been a "smoking gun" involving Kendra Lust, you can bet those lawyers would have used it to tear that prenup to shreds. The fact that they settled quietly suggests the "evidence" of infidelity wasn't nearly as strong as the internet wanted it to be.
The Reality of 2026
Fast forward to today. John Cena is a massive Hollywood star, now married to Shay Shariatzadeh. He’s recently been doing his "retirement tour" in the ring, looking back on a career that spanned decades.
Kendra Lust is still a prominent figure in her industry and remains a vocal wrestling fan. She still tweets about the big shows.
The two exist in entirely different orbits.
The whole "affair" was essentially a case study in how a rumor can become "truth" just by being repeated enough times. It’s one of those things where, if you Google it, you'll find a thousand articles asking the question, but zero giving you a definitive "yes."
Basically, it's the ultimate wrestling urban legend.
How to Evaluate Celeb Rumors Moving Forward
If you're trying to figure out what's real and what's just clickbait, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Source: Was the news first reported by a reputable outlet or a random forum post? In this case, it was the latter.
- Look for Corroboration: Did any of the parties involved actually confirm it? Kendra denied it; Cena ignored it.
- Follow the Money: Who benefited from the story? The gossip sites got the clicks, and the rumor helped market a parody film.
- The Lawyer Test: In a divorce this big, real evidence usually ends up in a courtroom or a public filing. It never did here.
If you're interested in the actual history of WWE backstage drama, you're better off looking into the documented stories involving the locker room rather than the wild speculations of 2012 message boards.
Next Steps for You
To get a better handle on what was actually happening in the WWE during that era, look up the "pipe bomb" promos from that time or research the backstage fallout of the Cena-Mickie James relationship. Those stories have much more verified weight behind them than the Kendra Lust rumors ever did.