Wrestling fans have long memories. Especially when it involves the "Face of the WWE" and one of the most polarizing women to ever step into the ring. If you were watching Raw back in 2012, you probably remember the chaos. Vickie Guerrero screaming about "evidence," backstage photos, and that infamous elevator footage. It’s the kind of drama that makes people still ask: did John Cena ever date AJ Lee for real, or was it just another Vince McMahon fever dream?
Let’s be blunt. In the world of pro wrestling, the line between "character" and "human being" is thinner than a folding chair.
The 2012 Scandal: A Storyline Masterclass
Most of the confusion stems from a three-month stretch in late 2012. At the time, AJ Lee was the Raw General Manager. It was a weird era. Vickie Guerrero started accusing AJ of "fraternizing" with John Cena. She claimed they were having an affair, using grainy photos of them at a business dinner as "proof."
For weeks, Cena and AJ denied everything. They played the innocent friends card. Then, in a classic WWE pivot, they leaned into it. On the November 19 episode of Raw, they shared a massive on-screen kiss. That moment basically confirmed they were a "couple" in the eyes of the WWE Universe.
But here’s the thing: it was purely for the cameras.
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The whole angle was designed to transition AJ Lee into a heel (a villain) and set up a feud between Cena and Dolph Ziggler. It worked, too. At TLC 2012, AJ shocked everyone by pushing Cena off a ladder, helping Ziggler win. The "romance" ended as quickly as it started, with AJ moving on to a legendary pairing with Dolph and Big E Langston.
What Was Happening Behind the Scenes?
While the TV show was pushing a Cena-AJ romance, their actual lives were headed in completely different directions.
John Cena's Reality:
In 2012, Cena was going through a very public and messy divorce from his first wife, Elizabeth Huberdeau. He wasn't exactly looking to jump into another high-profile relationship immediately. More importantly, by late 2012, Cena had already started seeing Nikki Bella. Their relationship became the cornerstone of Total Divas and lasted for six years. There was simply no room for AJ Lee in his actual dating history during that window.
AJ Lee's Reality:
AJ, whose real name is AJ Mendez, has been pretty open about her life in her memoir, Crazy Is My Superpower. During the time she was supposedly "dating" Cena on TV, she was actually getting closer to the man she would eventually marry: CM Punk.
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While the Cena storyline was a "work" (wrestling slang for fake), her connection with Punk was the "shoot" (the real deal). They started dating seriously in 2013 and got married in 2014. They’re still together today, proving that while WWE writers wanted her with Cena, her heart was elsewhere.
Why the Rumors Won’t Die
So, if it was just a storyline, why do people still search for did John Cena ever date AJ Lee?
It’s about the chemistry. AJ Lee was a phenomenal actress in the ring. She had this "unhinged" energy that made every relationship feel authentic, whether it was with Daniel Bryan, Kane, or Cena. When she kissed Cena, she sold it. When she betrayed him, she looked heartbroken and vindictive.
Fans often struggle to separate the performer from the person. We see them traveling together 300 days a year, living in the same "bubble," and we assume the TV romance must be real. In this case, it just wasn't.
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The Real Dating History
To clear the air, here is who these two were actually with around that time:
- John Cena: Married to Elizabeth Huberdeau (2009–2012), then dated Nikki Bella (2012–2018). He is now married to Shay Shariatzadeh.
- AJ Lee: Dated trainer Jay Lethal early in her career, then WWE wrestler Trent Beretta (2011–2012). She began dating CM Punk in 2013 and married him in 2014.
There is zero credible evidence from any reputable wrestling dirt sheets—like Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer or Mike Johnson’s PWInsider—that suggests Cena and AJ ever had a romantic spark off-camera.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're trying to track down the truth about celebrity or athlete relationships, keep these tips in mind:
- Check the Memoirs: Wrestlers often wait until they retire or write a book to tell the truth. AJ Lee’s book is a goldmine for what was real versus what was scripted.
- Look at the Timeline: Most "affairs" in WWE are timed perfectly with a pay-per-view match. If the "relationship" ends right after a big match (like Cena vs. Ziggler), it was likely just a plot device.
- Distinguish Between "On-Screen" and "Real-Life": Many sites use clickbait titles to confuse the two. Always look for phrases like "in storyline" or "according to the script."
Basically, John Cena and AJ Lee were great coworkers who pulled off a convincing story during a chaotic year for the company. They didn't date, they didn't have a secret affair, and they both moved on to much more significant partners in the years that followed.
To get the most accurate picture of wrestling history, it's best to follow long-term reporting from journalists who have covered the industry for decades rather than relying on social media clips that lack context. Reading biographies of the performers themselves is the most reliable way to understand the human side of the business.