The Engineer Who Won His Heart: 5 Shocking Facts About John Cena's Current Wife, Shay Shariatzadeh

The question of "who is John Cena married to" has a definitive and surprising answer, one that marks a clear departure from his high-profile past relationships. As of December 10, 2025, the WWE legend and Hollywood superstar is happily married to the brilliant and intensely private Canadian engineer, Shay Shariatzadeh. Their relationship, which began quietly and led to a secret wedding ceremony, has captivated fans who are used to Cena's life being lived in the spotlight.

This article dives deep into the life of Shay Shariatzadeh, exploring her impressive career, the details of her two wedding ceremonies with Cena, and how her non-celebrity background has brought a new level of peace and privacy to the 16-time World Champion's life. We also look back at the relationships that led him here, providing a complete picture of John Cena's complex romantic history.

Shay Shariatzadeh: A Complete Biography and Professional Profile

Unlike John Cena's previous partners, Shay Shariatzadeh is not involved in the entertainment or wrestling industry. She is a highly educated professional whose career is centered on technology and engineering, a fact that Cena often praises.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

• Full Name: Shay Shariatzadeh
• Date of Birth: September 21, 1990
• Age (as of late 2025): 35
• Place of Birth: Iran
• Nationality/Residency: Canadian (Raised in Canada)
• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of British Columbia (UBC)
• Profession: Engineer, specializing in enterprise software. She has held positions as an Engineering Manager and works in product management.
• First Meeting with John Cena: Early 2019 in Vancouver, Canada, while Cena was filming the movie Playing with Fire.
• Current Status: Married to John Cena (since October 2020).

Shariatzadeh's professional background is a key part of her identity. Her career path showcases a dedication to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), a field far removed from the glitz of Hollywood and WWE. This professional independence is often cited as a major strength of their relationship, allowing her to maintain her own identity outside of her husband's immense fame. Cena has publicly called her his "#1 passion," emphasizing the deep connection they share.

The Two Weddings: How John Cena Kept His Marriage a Secret

The beginning of John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh's journey was characterized by an extreme level of privacy, a stark contrast to his past public romances. Their first wedding was a surprise to the public, and their second ceremony, held almost two years later, was a private affair designed for family and friends.

The Private Tampa Ceremony (October 2020)

The couple officially tied the knot on October 12, 2020, in a private, low-key ceremony in Tampa, Florida.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

• Location: The downtown office of attorney Dilip Patel, who also served as the officiant.
• Nature of Event: It was a small, legal proceeding, a quiet affair necessitated by the global situation at the time, and a reflection of their desire to keep their union personal.
• Guest List: Extremely limited, focusing only on the legal necessities.

The news of their marriage only became public after a marriage certificate was obtained by the media, confirming that the couple had already wed.

The Grand Vancouver Celebration (July 2022)

More than 21 months after their initial legal marriage, Cena and Shariatzadeh held a second, larger wedding celebration in Vancouver, Canada, in July 2022.

• Location: The Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver, a city that holds special significance as the place where they first met.
• Purpose: This event served as their formal wedding celebration, allowing them to share the joyous occasion with a wider circle of family and friends who could not attend the first, private ceremony.

This dual-ceremony approach highlights the couple's commitment to both their private life and their desire to properly celebrate their love. The decision to host the celebration in Vancouver, where their romance began, was a sentimental nod to their origins.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

John Cena's Romantic History: From High School Sweetheart to Hollywood Fiancée

To truly understand the significance of his marriage to Shay, it’s essential to look at John Cena's previous high-profile relationships. His journey to finding his current wife was marked by two significant, yet ultimately unsuccessful, unions.

First Wife: Elizabeth Huberdeau (2009–2012)

John Cena's first wife was Elizabeth Huberdeau, his high school sweetheart.

• Relationship Timeline: They were married in 2009.
• Divorce: The couple divorced in 2012.
• Huberdeau's Life Now: Elizabeth has largely stepped out of the public eye following the divorce and is known to have built a successful career in real estate.

This relationship was a private one, occurring before Cena’s massive crossover into mainstream Hollywood fame, and it ended quietly, with Huberdeau choosing to maintain a life away from the celebrity spotlight.

The High-Profile Engagement: Nikki Bella (2012–2018)

The most public and widely discussed of Cena's relationships was his engagement to fellow WWE star, Nikki Bella. Their six-year relationship was heavily documented on reality television, culminating in a dramatic, televised proposal at WrestleMania 33 in 2017.

• Relationship Timeline: Began in 2012, with an engagement in 2017.
• Breakup Reason: The relationship ended in 2018, less than a month before their planned wedding date. The primary reason for the split was a fundamental disagreement over having children. Cena was famously reluctant to have children, while Bella desperately wanted to be a mother.
• Aftermath: The breakup became a major talking point in the wrestling world. Nikki Bella has since moved on, marrying her former Dancing with the Stars partner, Artem Chigvintsev, and welcoming a son.

The Peace of Privacy: Why Shay Shariatzadeh is Different

Shay Shariatzadeh represents a significant shift in John Cena’s personal life. She is a woman who values her privacy and professional life, a contrast to the highly publicized nature of his previous relationships.

Cena has often spoken about the joy of being with someone who is not seeking the spotlight. Shay's background as a successful engineer means her world is separate from the pressures of wrestling and acting.

Their first meeting was purely organic and non-professional—she was simply in Vancouver while he was filming. This natural, low-key beginning has set the tone for their marriage, which is focused on mutual respect, intelligence, and a shared desire for a life away from the constant tabloid scrutiny that dogged his past romances.

In a world where celebrity relationships often become public spectacles, John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh have built a strong, enduring bond by prioritizing their private life. Their story is a powerful testament to finding love outside of one's professional bubble, proving that sometimes, the greatest strength comes from a partner who is perfectly happy to stay out of the ring.