Finn Bálor Credits John Cena For Not Politicking In WWE: “I Naively Thought All WWE Superstars Were Going To Be Like That”

Bálor speaks highly of Cena.

Many WWE talents, personalities, and executives are making media appearances and discussing the career of John Cena as he is set to retire at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th.

There’s an interview that Alex McCarthy of The Sun released with Finn Bálor, during which Bálor opened up about his interactions with the 17-time WWE World Champion. Bálor spoke about how easy it is to collaborate with Cena. He stated that Cena led the locker room by example and not by fear and intimidation.

Bálor went on to state that during his early days on WWE’s main roster, he thought politicking did not exist there, but said he soon realized that that thinking only applies to John Cena.

“The thing I remember most about John and the early years in WWE is just that I thought that was the norm. I came into WWE with a lot of wrestling experience but no WWE experience and didn’t really understand how cutthroat or ruthless it can be backstage. But of course, when 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 fear and threats. 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? 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. There’s only one John Cena. There’s only one 17-time champion, future Hall of Famer. But no one commands the respect (he does), but gives the respect that he gives at the same time. I guess I naively thought all WWE superstars were going to be like that and fast-forward 10-11 years, I’ve discovered that that’s not the case and it’s made me even more grateful for how John treated me when I entered WWE and for that, I’ll always be grateful.”

He opened up about being a part of Cena’s final match on Monday Night Raw. The Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor & J.D. McDonagh) faced Cena, Rey Mysterio, and Sheamus. Bálor also touched on being involved in Cena and Dominik Mysterio’s WWE Intercontinental Championship match at Survivor Series: WarGames.

“I was super surprised to be involved in his last match at M.S.G., which was a huge honor, and a lot of fun – especially three Irish boys in there in New York City. So that was a lot of fun. Then getting to come out there at Survivor Series, be involved in that, which was not only a huge moment for John being his last Premium Live Event match, but also huge for Dom (Mysterio) in his hometown, in his favorite baseball team’s stadium against John Cena. It was such a huge event for them both. The spectacle was really cool for me.” Finn circled back to speaking about being part of Cena’s final match on Raw, “It (had) been brought up to my attention a couple days before it might be a possibility, but in WWE, you never get attached to any idea until I’ve got my gear on and the music is playing (laughs). The closer it got to the day, I thought, wow, maybe this is going to stick. It was a great night. I didn’t expect to be in a ring with John again. Being in there for such an important moment for him at a historic venue for us – it was a real career memory for me.”

The Saturday Night’s Main Event card for Cena’s last match is listed as follows:

• John Cena’s Final Match: John Cena vs. GUNTHER
• Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champion) vs. Oba Femi (NXT Champion)
• Bayley vs. Sol Ruca
• WWE World Tag Team Championship: A.J. Styles & Dragon Lee (c) vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater