John Cena Makes U-Turn, Says WWE Fans Weren’t ‘Bullying’ Him For Bald Spot: 'They Held Me Accountable!'
By Fiyin Olowokandi on August 7, 2025 at 6:15 PM EDT
John Cena is taking back his comments about fans bullying him for his bald spot!
The WWE superstar has viewed the topic of his hair loss as a sensitive one, so much so that in 2024, he took medical measures to correct the defect.
After undergoing the procedure, the “Trainwreck” actor attributed his decision to the insults from fans.
However, the professional wrestler has now changed his stance, clarifying he didn’t see the criticisms as trolling. Instead, they were simply signs of support.
John Cena Claims WWE Audience Made Him Take His Hair Health Seriously
In a recent interview, the 48-year-old detailed his hair transplant journey, crediting the critics for inspiring the transformation.
"They've held me accountable. They don't let you get away with phoning it in, because they'll eat you alive," the actor told PEOPLE Magazine. "That's what a good support system does."
The two-time Royal Rumble winner recalled how the spectators pointed out the space on his head even as he tried to hide it. "I saw their signs that said, 'The bald John Cena!’” the fighter recounted before sharing that it turned out to be a positive push.
“They pushed me into going to see what my options were and actually do some homework to learn about scalp health, hair health, follicle health,” Cena revealed.
The “Peacemaker” star believes the chatter from the wrestling show stan was coming from a place of concern for his well-being, likening it to a correction from a close pal.
"Just like a good friend, when you have something in your teeth, they pull you aside and are like, 'You have something in your teeth,’" the movie star explained.
John Cena Wishes He Made The Changes Sooner
While the World Heavyweight Champion is loving his new looks, he regrets stalling the transition because of the stigma attached to it.
“I hate the fact that if there wasn't so much shame around it, l'd have gotten it done 10 years ago,” Cena admitted. The “Fast X" actor went on to explain the treatment, noting that hair was taken from other parts to fill the space.
"They don't do anything except move your hair, one by one, from one area to another,” Cena shared. “It's my hair and I'm not using this stuff on the side and l'd like to put it up on the top.”
John Cena’s Surgery Results Weren’t Immediately Apparent
Although the “Ferdinand” actor made the big change in November 2024, the results took time before they were evident. Cena shed light on the timeline, saying that from January to March, he was still bald as that was the “dormant phase”
This is a period “where the little hair that was left falls asleep and the new hair falls asleep.” According to the musician, during the phase, the insults about his looks still didn’t stop.
"And boy, did [the fans] let me have it. So every day I knew I went out there with so much more of a bald spot. It was not easy,” Cena confessed.
The ‘SmackDown’ Star Previously Slammed WWE Stans For Shaming His Hair Loss
Cena’s surprising change of heart about the critics comes four months after he condemned their statements about his appearance, describing it as outright victimization.
As The Blast previously reported, the former Money in the Bag title holder aired out his pain during the WWE World Fan Experience in Las Vegas.
"You chant, and you make me feel small, and you embarrass me... Y'all don't know what that's like. That is straight-up bullying. That's just not cool. I don't like it," Cena told the crowd.
He added that the trolls were successful as he succumbed and got his mane fixed. "So, thank you for bullying me into getting a surgical hair replacement. That's how far y'all push me," Cena quipped.
John Cena Lashed Out At An Admirer For Filming Him Without His Consent
While the “Bumblebee” actor appears to have moved on from fans' talk about his curls, he recently had a tense exchange with an admirer.
The moment occurred after the individual broke the “The Marine” star’s important rule when it comes to interacting with him.
Per The Blast, a viral TikTok video captured the athlete walking amid an entourage of people but stopped to take a photo with one individual who asked politely.
However, after the rapper walked away, the person started filming him, asking, “What are you wearing?” Cena appeared upset by the move and warned the individual, "I'm a big fan of consent, right, so if you would like to take a video [please ask]."
