The John Cena backstage incident with Matt Riddle in WWE was not the smoothest of starts for the two wrestlers, though their relationship improved over time as they continued to work together. MLW World Champion Matt Riddle recently discussed this backstage encounter while talking with Going Ringside, offering new insight into what happened during John Cena’s current retirement tour.
The Story Behind Their Tense Backstage Encounter
During the interview, Matt Riddle spoke about his experiences working with John Cena, describing Cena as a professional presence and sharing that their first meeting was marked by tension. Riddle recalled how he made an offhand comment about expecting Cena to be physically larger. This remark led to an unexpectedly sharp response from Cena.
“I’ve worked with Cena. I like working with Cena,”
—Matt Riddle, MLW World Champion
Riddle elaborated on the awkwardness of the encounter and the challenging dynamic that followed. Cena, taking issue with Riddle’s observation, engaged in a back-and-forth exchange, questioning Riddle about his wrestling persona and providing pointed feedback.
“And I don’t think he likes being called small, which isn’t what I said, but I thought he’d be bigger. He kind of gave me a verbal lashing back and forth. He gave me crap for being the King of Bros, tried to get me to explain what that was, and no answer was good enough for John Cena. But I think he’s doing great and I’m happy for him.”
—Matt Riddle, MLW World Champion
Despite the rocky beginning, Riddle emphasized his respect for Cena as a colleague and reflected positively on Cena’s ongoing contribution during his WWE retirement tour. Both WWE stars went on to work together professionally, setting aside any lingering tension from their first interaction.
Significance for WWE Personalities
This incident highlights how personalities can clash backstage in WWE, especially among top figures like John Cena and Matt Riddle. It also demonstrates how initial conflicts can evolve into working relationships based on mutual respect. As Cena’s retirement tour continues, stories like these offer fans a candid glimpse into the real-life dynamics among superstars, including others like CM Punk, the King of Bros, and more, shaping the unique culture around the WWE locker room.
