The latest John Cena tribute controversy began during a recent Women’s World Championship triple threat match, where Nikki Bella’s submission move drew heavy speculation and online debate. As fans and WWE fueled rumors of a tribute to John Cena, Nikki Bella publicly denied that her actions were meant as homage, setting off a whirlwind of responses within the wrestling community.
Nikki Bella Denies Paying Homage to John Cena During Match
During the high-stakes championship match against Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer, Nikki Bella placed Rodriguez in a chokehold that closely resembled the STF, a submission move made famous by John Cena. This moment spread rapidly across social media platforms, sparking intense speculation that Nikki was deliberately referencing her past relationship with Cena through her in-ring actions.
However, Nikki Bella, a WWE Hall of Famer and mainstay in the wrestling world, addressed the rumors head-on during an episode of the Nikki & Brie Show. She clarified that her maneuver has longstanding roots in her own repertoire and is called the ‘Fearless Lock’, a move distinct from Cena’s STF. Nikki stressed that fans had misunderstood her intentions, even though her history with John Cena adds a layer of complexity to the situation.
“I think people forgot, not everyone, but I used to do the Fearless Lock. Yes, it was during a period of time when John and I were together, but the Fearless Lock is different from his submission, it really is. He lays on top of people and grabbing the front face. The Fearless Lock is a legit submission Shayna (Baszler) gave me. We named it the Fearless Lock.”
— Nikki Bella, WWE Hall of Famer
Fans and WWE Fuel Speculation Amid Bella’s Clarification
When the crowd erupted with chants of “Thank You Cena” during the match, Nikki responded on the spot by shouting “No, thank me!” in an attempt to redirect the conversation. Despite her swift response and later clarification on her podcast, the official WWE social media team doubled down on the tribute narrative, posting remarks and clips framing Nikki’s move as an intentional nod to her former partner.
“Nikki Bella with a little tribute of her own! 🫡”
— WWE on Social Media
“Nikki Bella with a little tribute of her own! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Z9krPFMH1U— WWE (@WWE) January 1, 2026”
— WWE via Twitter, January 1, 2026
This ongoing contradiction between Nikki’s statements and WWE’s public messaging stoked even greater confusion and debate. With WWE maintaining their stance and fans latching onto every move, the controversy continues to fuel discussions online and in wrestling circles.
The Significance and What This Controversy Means for WWE
This incident highlights how intertwined personal narratives and professional personas have become within WWE’s current landscape. The focus on the Fearless Lock, and the deliberate connection to John Cena, underlines the organization’s reliance on both nostalgia and real-life relationships to create compelling moments in the ring.
Key figures like Nikki Bella and Shayna Baszler now find their technical choices and histories scrutinized in the court of public opinion, amplified by passionate fans and the promotion’s own social storytelling. As the conversation unfolds, WWE will likely continue leveraging the drama surrounding the John Cena tribute controversy to keep audiences engaged, while wrestlers like Nikki Bella may seek new ways to assert their individual in-ring identities amidst persistent speculation.
With the wrestling veteran’s clarifications and WWE’s provocative stance still at odds, how future matches are interpreted by fans and covered by platforms like TJR Wrestling remains uncertain, ensuring the story will linger in headlines for some time to come.
Nikki Bella with a little tribute of her own! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Z9krPFMH1U
— WWE (@WWE) January 1, 2026
