WWE Star Finn Balor Gives His Take on John Cena’s Backstage Behavior

Otunga accused Cena of "kicking my ass" and "cussing me out" and that he "questioned if I even wanted to work there anymore." These allegations were discussed by former WWE wrestlers Maven and Rene Dupree, and the latter claimed to have only good experiences, but that came before Cena's "mega push" as the company's top guy.

Balor has also spoken highly of Cena's behavior backstage when he was the locker room leader back in 2016. The Irish star recalled just arriving on the main roster and how Cena led with no fear or threats. He told SunSport:

"I came into WWE with a lot of wrestling experience but no WWE experience and didn't really understand how cut-throat or ruthless it can be backstage. I get brought in like 2016, John was at the top and he's kind of like the leader in the locker room and backstage. He leads by example and not with fear and threats"

Balor added:

"He was just a really, really good leader that everyone looked up to and respected and admired for his work ethic. He was really, really easy to deal with. And I thought 'Wow, these WWE guys are really, really professional.' I can't believe it's so easy. I come in here as this new kid, I guess potentially a threat to their position on the card and the main guy is just so cool. 'Wow I can't believe it. Surely this doesn't happen everywhere?'"

Balor did suggest there were other issues backstage but not with Cena:

"I've heard all these horror stories about all sorts of politicking and whatever. 'But that doesn't exist here in WWE - that's crazy. Things have really changed.' "I was wrong. That only applies to John."

Cena's ascent to the pinnacle of pro wrestling saw him become a record-breaking 17-time world champion and main-event WrestleMania five times. He was the poster boy for WWE during the PG era, when the company became more family-oriented.

The 48-year-old will be competing in his last match tonight (December 13th) at Saturday Night's Main Event before calling time on his career. He faces former two-time World Heavyweight Champion Gunther in the main event.

Booker T Hits Out At Otunga's Claims About Cena

Booker T also spent time in WWE working with Cena and they even feuded during the Ruthless Aggression era. This was near the beginning of Cena's rise to the main event picture, and the two-time WWE Hall of Famer has launched a staunch defense following Otunga's allegations.

The WWE NXT commentator responded to the "bullying" accusations on his Hall of Fame podcast:

“Look, let me tell you something, bullies, I’ve dealt with bullies before, you know what I mean? My thing is, when I hear these guys talk about being bullied, when I hear a grown man talk about being bullied, he’s a punk a**. That’s what I say about guys like that. I’m serious."

He added:

"I’ve never been bullied. You know what I mean? Nobody’s ever bullied me. Yeah, in the wrestling business, in all of my years, nobody’s ever bullied me, that I didn’t bully back. Okay? So when I hear people talk like that, man, that’s what I say about them. Alright, I’m not going to say it twice. But you know exactly what I’m talking about."

Cena has yet to respond to Otunga breaking his "15-year silence" about his time working with the soon-to-be-retired WWE star. They were involved in the Nexus storyline back in 2010 and even won the World Tag Team Championships during that time.