Shay Shariatzadeh: John Cena Was Too Scared to Approach Her

Shay Shariatzadeh is a Canadian electrical engineer and the wife of retired WWE wrestler and actor John Cena.

She built a successful engineering career at major technology companies well before her relationship with Cena brought her wider public attention.

The couple met by chance at a Vancouver bar while watching the Super Bowl in February 2019 and married the following year in a private ceremony in Tampa, Florida.

Since then, Shay has remained a deliberately private figure, supporting Cena through his transition from WWE legend to Hollywood actor and, most recently, through his retirement from professional wrestling in December 2025

Shay Shariatzadeh Biography

She was born on September 17, 1989, in Vancouver, Canada, though her family’s roots trace back to Iran, and her heritage reflects a blend of Iranian and Azerbaijani backgrounds.

Shay Shariatzadeh grew up in a multicultural household in Vancouver, where her mother worked as a surgeon before leaving her demanding career to provide a better future for the family in Canada.

Shay has described that decision as one of the most formative influences on her life and work ethic. Shay attended the University of British Columbia, where she earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering between 2008 and 2013.

Her interest in engineering began at a young age, and she has spoken about her mother as her primary inspiration, once saying in an interview that her mother taught her to be independent and to fight for the things she wanted in life.

John Cena’s Wife

Shay Shariatzadeh and John Cena met by chance in February 2019 while Cena was in Vancouver filming the comedy Playing with Fire.

A devoted New England Patriots fan, Cena had gone to a local dive bar with a friend to watch the Super Bowl.

Shay arrived with a group of friends and sat in the booth directly across from him. Cena later recalled on the podcast What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon that he was immediately captivated and could not take his eyes off her.

Despite his interest, Cena has admitted that he did not have the confidence to approach her that evening.

Instead, one of Shay’s friends asked him for a photo after the game ended, giving him the opportunity to introduce himself.

The two began dating shortly afterward and went public with their relationship in March 2019 after photographs of them holding hands in Canada surfaced.

Cena has said that the photo taken during their first meeting still hangs in their home.

The couple got married in October 2020 in a small, private ceremony in Tampa, Florida.

The wedding surprised many fans because the couple had kept their relationship largely out of the public eye.

This is Cena’s second marriage. He was previously married to Elizabeth Huberdeau from 2009 to 2012 and was later in a long-term relationship and briefly engaged to WWE star Nikki Bella before their relationship ended in 2018, just weeks before their planned wedding.

Cena and Shay have chosen not to have children, a decision Cena has discussed openly over the years, stating as early as 2016 that he did not want to become a parent.

Since marrying, the couple has remained consistently private, generally limiting their public appearances together to red carpet events and occasional interviews.

They made a rare exception in 2025 when they shared a kiss at the premiere of Peacemaker, a public display of affection that attracted widespread attention.

Cena has also spoken about the importance of protecting Shay, saying in an interview that he travels everywhere with his wife and that one of the promises he made to her during their wedding ceremony was to do his best never to place her in unnecessary harm’s way.

Career

Shay Shariatzadeh built a successful professional career in engineering and technology well before she became publicly known through her marriage.

She worked as a product manager at Avigilon, a Vancouver-based video surveillance and security technology company owned by Motorola Solutions, where her work involved thermal cameras, video intercom systems, and enterprise software.

She later joined Sonatype, an enterprise software company, where she continued her career in product management.

Shay has spoken about taking genuine pride in her engineering work, explaining that the video surveillance industry helps protect people and their assets, something she considers her own small contribution to society.

She has also remained connected to her alma mater, supporting and mentoring the next generation of engineering students through the University of British Columbia.

Meanwhile, her husband, John Cena, began his career as a bodybuilder before transitioning to professional wrestling in 1999.

He signed with the then World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 2001 and went on to become one of WWE’s most recognizable and successful superstars.

During his career, he won 16 world championships, including 13 WWE Championship reigns and three World Heavyweight Championship reigns, and headlined WrestleMania on five occasions.

Alongside his wrestling career, Cena built a successful acting career, appearing in films such as Trainwreck, Blockers, Bumblebee, entries in the Fast & Furious franchise, and as Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad and its television spin-off series.

Cena wrestled his final WWE match on December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Madison Square Garden, officially retiring from professional wrestling after more than two decades in the ring while continuing his acting career.

He is also widely recognized for his charitable work, including granting more wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation than any other individual in the organization’s history.