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John Cena Said He Wants to Be a Dad, and Now We're Seriously Confused (Plus, What He Told Nikki Bella About Never Wanting Kids)
Lauren Weiler
They're on, they're off, and then they're back on again. There's no doubt about it — John Cena and Nikki Bella are a celebrity WWE couple that is incredibly hard to keep up with.
Cena has always put wrestling at the forefront of his life. So when it came time to settle down with fiancé Bella, we were reminded that his career comes before having a wife and kids. Now, however, it seems his tune has changed. Here's what he now says about wanting to be a dad (page 6) and the ultimate reason as to why he's changed his mind (page 7).
1. Cena and Bella seemed like the perfect fit celebrity couple
They seemed perfect for each other. | Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
We loved Cena and Bella together since the couple's humble beginnings in 2012. After Cena's divorce from his high school sweetheart, he asked Bella out to dinner, Bustle reports. And since the two had been friends for years prior, they hit it off immediately as lovers. By 2013, they were already moving in together.
When Cena proposed to Bella on Wrestlemania, fans went wild. But things started to fall apart just a few months later for the happy wrestlers.
Next: When they called off their engagement, no one saw it coming.
2. They called off their engagement just weeks before their wedding
Nikki Bella John Cena breakup statement | Nikki Bella via Instagram
Their separation seemingly came out of the blue, but it turns out the relationship may have been doomed from the start. Bustle notes it was just three weeks from their wedding when the couple decided to call it quits. And potential marriage aside, Cena and Bella also made the decision to go their separate ways completely.
It seems their views on marriage and parenting were totally unaligned, and it really hit home when they were ready to commit to spending their lives together.
Next: Here's how Cena has felt about having children in the past.
3. Cena said in the past that he doesn't want kids
His career has left little room for a family. | Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Cena has been quite transparent regarding his feelings about fatherhood. As one insider tells People, Cena has been "singularly focused on his goal of being a mega-famous performer, entertainer, and actor," which leaves little room for kids. "It's not fair to a kid to bring them into the world if you're not prepared to be focused on them, and he's just not."
Bella held out hope her then-fiancé would change his mind on the matter. But it seems this difference was their ultimate undoing.
Next: This other reason behind Cena not wanting kids breaks our hearts.
4. His work with sick children also worried him about having kids of his own
He does a lot of work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. | Rob Kim/Getty Images
While Cena has always said he simply doesn't have time for kids, there may be a more heartbreaking reason as to why he doesn't want children of his own. A source told People the wrestler has granted more than 500 wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "To contemplate bringing a child into this world who could then get hurt or sick — it would be more than he could take," the source said.
Not only that, but Cena's brother also has health problems. But the source adds that "if anything, that should just show him that these things can be manageable."
Next: Giving up her dream of motherhood was too much for Bella to bear.
5. Bella has always wanted kids and says she can't sacrifice being a mom
Nikki Bella wants to be a mother. | Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Dress for Success Worldwide-West
When they first got engaged, Bella mentioned she was fine with forgoing kids, People reports. "Now I get to be a bride and a wife, and I'm good with that," she said. But as E! News shows on Total Bellas, we see the sad moment Bella admitted to Cena that she desperately wants to have kids.
Bella tearfully said since her sister's daughter was born, "it's just brought up these feelings of really wanting to be a mom and I thought I could really sacrifice that and I just can't."
Next: Cena's changed his tune entirely on children.
6. Cena told paparazzi he'd now 'love to be a dad'
He's reevaluating things. | Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
It turns out maybe Cena's ready for fatherhood after all. But it seems the breakup — and losing Bella — has given Cena a chance to reevaluate things.
E! News reports he told paparazzi, "Of course I would love to be a dad. By the way, that's an about-face for me and I realize very much that I have been steadfast in saying that I don't want children, but I'm a little older now, wiser." We're sure Bella is thrilled to hear him change his tune, too.
Next: Here's what made Cena reconsider his feelings.
7. His recent movie role may have changed his mind about fatherhood completely
A movie role changed his mind. | Apatow Productions
Perhaps some movie magic is the reason for Cena's sudden change of heart. People reports in his recent role in Blockers, he plays a dad. And he admitted that his role as a father "certainly changed" how he felt about being a parent before.
E! News also reports that Cena said he now sees "there is life and life exists and it's beautiful and I think part of that is being a parent, so we'll see." As for Bella, she's said before that she knows he's "going to make an incredible dad."
Next: Are Bella and Cena making steps toward a reconciliation?
8. Both Bella and Cena are making lists regarding what they want in life
John Cena on Today | NBC
Though they called off the wedding, it seems Bella and Cena didn't spend much time apart. As Cena said, "We talk to each other all the time. We are best friends," People reports.
As for plans going forward, Bella told People that she told Cena he had to make a list of what he wants going forward, and she's doing the same. The lists will contain "what makes us so happy for the rest of our life and what are the things we want, because I don't want him to ever live in regret."
Next: Here's how the future looks for Bella and Cena.
9. Will they work it all out? Everyone thinks so
The wrestlers could end up living happily ever after. | WWE Wrestle Mania via YouTube
The future seems bright for Cena and Bella as they attempt to work things out. Cena's new revelation about wanting to be a father is a total gamechanger for Bella, and when she was talking to People, she seemed excited for their possible future.
As one interviewer asked Bella, "If he puts kids on that list … do you believe he's had a legit change of heart with regard to kids?" In response, she answered, "100%. … I always knew he's meant to be a dad. … I need time. I need time to digest."