‘John Cena never politicked’ – Finn Balor praises ‘true leader’ ahead of retirement and reveals what he was really like

FINN BALOR has heaped praise on the departing John Cena as the 17-time world champion prepares to have his final WWE match at Saturday Night Main Event.

Cena, 48, will face Gunther in his last-ever match to cap off his retirement farewell tour throughout 2025.

Gunther has already retired Goldberg this year and is the heavy favourite to beat Cena in Washington.

Speaking exclusively with The Sun, Balor showered plaudits on Cena for how he welcomed the Irishman into the company back in 2016.

“The thing I remember most about John and the early years in WWE is just that I thought that was the norm,” Balor said.

“I came into WWE with a lot of wrestling experience but no WWE experience and didn’t really understand how cut-throat or ruthless it can be backstage.

“But of course, when I get brought in like 2016, John was at the top and he’s kind of like the leader in the locker room and backstage. He leads by example and not fear and threats.

“He was just a really, really good leader that everyone looked up to and respected and admired for his work ethic. He was really, really easy to deal with.

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“And I thought ‘Wow, these WWE guys are really, really professional.’ I can’t believe it’s so easy. I come in here as this new kid, I guess potentially a threat to their position on the card and the main guy is just so cool. ‘Wow I can’t believe it. Surely this doesn’t happen everywhere?’

“I’ve heard all these horror stories about all sorts of politicking and whatever. ‘But that doesn’t exist here in WWE – that’s crazy. Things have really changed.’

“I was wrong. That only applies to John. There’s only one John Cena. There’s only one 17-time champion, future Hall of Famer. But no one commands the respect [he does], but gives the respect that he gives at the same time.

“I guess I naively thought all WWE superstars were going to be like that and fast-forward 10-11 years, I’ve discovered that that’s not the case and it’s made me even more grateful for how John treated me when I entered WWE and for that, I’ll always be grateful.”

Balor has been working in and around the top of WWE for nearly a decade, so he could be talking about nearly anyone here!

Cena has been in WWE main events for 20-plus years after his iconic 2002 debut on SmackDown where he slapped Kurt Angle.

By 2005 he won his first world title and he stayed the resident poster boy, babyface for the company right up until his now infamous heel turn earlier this year.

But he has always been the face of the company. He has always conducted himself as such in front of the cameras and behind the scenes. Holding the record for most Make-a-Wishes granted is a testament to that.

Balor, 44 himself, takes pride in carrying Cena’s teaching behind the scenes and paying it forward.

“Of course [I want to pay it forward], a great leader tries to lead by example and that’s what I try to model myself on now as one of the older guys in the locker room now.

“Not lead by picking on people or bullying people but by encouraging people and reaching down to pick them up. Not like reaching down to hold them down, you know.”

Balor has done just that by playing an integral part in The Judgment Day, a group that has spawned Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio, two of the biggest stars WWE has today – both still in their 20s.

Unfortunately, Cena and Balor never had a full programme together in WWE despite meeting on several occasions, mostly in multi-man matches.

From Balor’s point of view, it was simply a case of their characters being similarly aligned.

“I don’t think it was a chance missed. Obviously it was something that I would have loved to have happened, but we were both babyfaces at the time kind of both fighting from the same angle against the heels so, I don’t think the possibility or the opportunity for us to have an extended feud had ever been thought of.

“Even the last couple of weeks, knowing that he was on his retirement tour, I didn’t think there would be any space for me to get in the ring with him again and I’d come to the understanding with myself that ‘OK, that’s the last of my interactions with John’.”

Luckily, Balor ended up being involved in Cena’s last ever match on RAW, which went down in Madison Square Garden.

Balor teamed with stable-mates JD McDonagh and Dom Mysterio against Cena, Rey Mysterio and Sheamus.

“I was super surprised to be involved in his last match at MSG, which was a huge honour.

“And a lot of fun – especially three Irish boys in there in New York City. So that was a lot of fun.

“Then getting to come out there at Survivor Series, be involved in that, which was not only a huge moment for John being his last premium live event match, but also huge for Dom in his hometown, in his favourite baseball team’s stadium against John Cena.

“It was such a huge event for them both. The spectacle was really cool for me.”

Balor insists the Cena send-off match was brought to his attention quite late but he’s eternally grateful it happened.

“It has been brought up to my attention a couple days before it might be a possibility, but in WWE you never get attached to any idea until I’ve got my gear on and the music is playing [laughs].

“The closer it got to the day I thought ‘wow, maybe this is going to stick.’ It was a great night. I didn’t expect to be in a ring with John again.

“Being in there for such an important moment for him at a historic venue for us – it was a real career memory for me,” said Balor.

Cena will compete one final time on December 13 before walking away to a Hollywood sunset.

John Cena’s final match takes place on Saturday, 13 December at Saturday Night’s Main Event, available to watch for free on WWE’s YouTube channel. Finn Bálor returns to Europe this January during the ‘Road to Royal Rumble’ tour, tickets available now from Ticketmaster.