Logan Paul has aimed one of the sharpest shots yet at John Cena’s turbulent farewell tour.
Cena is bowing out of WWE in style with a phenomenal last run, but Paul – his partner turned rival – has blasted the veteran’s work so far.
The YouTube star turned wrestling villain shared the comments on his Impaulsive podcast, speaking as both an on-screen antagonist and someone who has worked alongside Cena in 2025.
It’s been a year of sharp turns for the now 17-time world champion. WrestleMania saw him defeat Cody Rhodes to break his own title record and complete a rare heel turn.
From record title win to sudden U-turn – Cena’s farewell tour keeps fans guessing
For the first time in years, Cena was leaning fully into the role of villain, but within months the act was gone.
By SummerSlam, he had reverted to fan favourite, dropping the title back to Rhodes before a returning Brock Lesnar stepped in to ignite a fresh rivalry. The creative whiplash has kept fans guessing, especially in a year where each match carries the weight of a looming December retirement.
Amid all that, Cena briefly stood shoulder to shoulder with Paul in a chaotic Money in the Bank tag team bout before the pair went their separate ways for a singles clash at Clash in Paris. That short-lived alliance left a lasting impression on Paul – and it wasn’t all positive.
“I’m a little disappointed in Cena personally, like as a fan and as a guy who knows him,” Paul said.
“I saw the heel turn and I was like, ‘Alright, welcome to the bright side, you can just be yourself and people will accept you for that.’ But then the switch-up back to trying to be a babyface makes me feel like he’s seeking outside validation…
“I loved, loved John Cena. We had a tag [team] and I got to work with him a little bit and see what he was really like… I wish he would be more like me. Just be himself.”
If it feels like Cena’s rocky 2025 has been erratic and, ultimately, lacking in creative direction, that may be for good reason.
Fans are convinced there’s a behind-the-scenes feud between the grappler turned movie star and WWE Head of Creative Triple H – talk fuelled by the fact the pair have given very contrasting recent interviews.
Logan Paul accuses John Cena of ‘midlife crisis’ over WWE retirement
Influencer Paul stuck the dagger in a little further on Cena, accusing him of being ‘puppeteered’ by WWE chiefs including Triple H and ‘The Final Boss’ The Rock.
He went further still: “And it feels like to me we’re watching a midlife crisis happen live.
“I think he needs to just find himself and stop trying to please the crowd for his own personal validation.
“I just think you should have maybe picked a lane and stayed in it.
“Who are you? Do you even know? Are you just doing it because The Final Boss [Rock] says it or Triple H says it? Are you being puppeteered by the powers that be?
“Why don’t you just be yourself and be the GOAT John Cena? But I saw that fade a little bit and I have to say, I’m not into it.”
That Paul and Cena are now back at odds in the wrestling ring and a WWE storyline does make it feel like the podcast lines were delivered with tongue slightly in cheek – Logan is ever the showman and constantly reaching for the controversial take.
Nonetheless, the remarks have added another layer to a farewell year already full of sharp turns and unanswered questions.
For all the scripted spectacle, Paul’s blunt challenge has landed squarely in the one place even WWE can’t fully control: how fans see John Cena when the curtain finally falls.