The once iconic WWE power couple, John Cena and Nikki Bella, broke a long silence with a brief but cordial backstage meeting at the Royal Rumble event in February 2025. This marked their first direct interaction in almost eight years, following their high-profile split after a 2017 engagement.
From Engaged to Separate Paths: A Timeline of Their Relationship
The duo, who began dating in 2012, were a central part of WWE's reality and on-screen programming throughout the 2010s. Their relationship culminated in a very public engagement in 2017. However, the wedding was called off, and they parted ways due to personal differences.
Both moved on to marry different partners. John Cena married Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020. Nikki Bella found love with her Dancing with the Stars partner, Artem Chigvintsev, though that marriage ended in divorce in 2024.
The Royal Rumble 2025 Reunion: A Polite Handshake
Nikki Bella, whose real name is Nicole Garcia, revealed the details of their unexpected encounter on Kristin Cavallari's podcast, "Honestly Cavallari: The Podcast Tour." She described being in a circle of people backstage when Cena approached.
"He came to [shake] everyone's hand," Bella recounted. Their exchange was brief and polite. "We just said, 'Hello, good to see you. I think last time we were engaged. I don't know, it's been a while,'" she shared, highlighting the significant passage of time since their last personal contact.
Diverging Career Arcs in a Landmark 2025 for WWE
The year 2025 proved pivotal for both superstars, but in starkly different ways. John Cena embarked on his farewell tour in January 2025, culminating in a full retirement from in-ring competition by year's end.
His final year was historic: he became a record-setting 17-time WWE World Champion and wrestled critically acclaimed matches. His final bout took place at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event in December 2025, where he lost to Gunther via submission, giving his signature salute to the fans one last time.
Conversely, Nikki Bella staged a major comeback. After brief appearances early in the year, she returned to regular in-ring action on Monday Night RAW in June 2025. She quickly jumped into the championship picture, engaging in a fierce feud for the WWE Women's World Championship and establishing herself as a key member of the active roster as WWE moved into a new era.
While John Cena has ridden off into the sunset, Nikki Bella continues to compete, ensuring their legacies, though now separate, remain deeply woven into the fabric of WWE history.
