Wrestling with Egos: John Cena Opens Up About Fast & Furious Feud

Cena Reflects on the Drama Between Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel Behind the Scenes

Professional wrestler turned actor, John Cena, sheds light on the simmering tensions between Fast & Furious stalwarts, Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel.

In a candid conversation on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Cena delves into the complexities of the long-standing rivalry. “There’s certainly whispers about that. I won’t shy away from that. You have two incredibly dominant, motivated individuals,” Cena remarked. “When you have two, there can only be one.”

Joining the franchise in 2021’s F9: The Fast Saga as Jakob Toretto, estranged brother of Diesel’s character, Dom, Cena found himself amidst a dynamic of seasoned veterans. “You’ve got to understand, I stepped into a locker room filled with generational icons,” Cena reflected. “‘What did your father do?’ ‘Wrestled.’ ‘And your grandfather?’ ‘Wrestled.’ I’ve been in that environment; I understand the dynamics and just adapt accordingly.”

Continuing, Cena emphasized the significance of being embraced into the Fast & Furious family. “I’m being welcomed into someone’s domain, someone’s legacy. And regardless of physical appearances compared to another individual, this franchise has spanned nine chapters, it’s an action powerhouse — that’s elite territory. At the very least, there’s a need for mutual respect.”

The feud between Johnson and Diesel erupted into the public sphere in August 2016 when the former WWE luminary aired grievances against his co-stars. Johnson became part of the franchise in 2011’s Fast Five, featuring in three films before headlining the 2019 Hobbs and Shaw spinoff alongside Jason Statham.

While Diesel expressed hopes for Johnson’s return in Fast X, the latter declared he wouldn’t reprise his role. Nonetheless, indications of a reconciliation emerged as Johnson made a cameo in the latest installment, hinting at a possible comeback in the forthcoming 11th chapter.