John Cena, Long Opposed to Having a Kid, Would Now 'Love to be a Dad'

John Cena apparently would love to parent a child with Nikki Bella. He explained that he has changed as he's gotten older—as we all do.

Jayne Kamin Oncea
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports

Jayne Kamin Oncea

The relationship between wrestling stars John Cena and Nikki Bella has saturated headlines in recent months. In April, they announced they had called off their engagement and broken up after six years together. It quickly became clear that Cena still had feelings for Bella.

In May, Cena said of Bella, "I want to make her my wife." And she responded by saying she was still open that idea. Last week, reports indicated the two were officially back together.

Now, Cena, who has long opposed having children, appears to have changed his stance.

"Of course I would love to be a dad," Cena told paparazzi Sunday night in Los Angeles, via E! News. "By the way, that's an about-face for me and I realize very much that I have been steadfast in saying that I don't want children, but I'm a little bit older now, wiser."

He explained that he has changed as he's gotten older—as we all do.

"At age 18, we say things different at age 25, at 35," Cena said. "I would love it only because I dedicated my life to my work and now I am realizing that there is life and life exists and it's beautiful and I think part of that is being a parent, so we'll see."

Cena told the paparazzi he and Bella "talk all the time" and are "best friends," but it does appear their relationship is romantic.

On the topic of an eventual marriage to Bella, Cena said: "It's something I would like if the situation is right."

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