John Cena appeared at the Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) 2026 on Saturday, reflecting on his career, connection with fans, and future plans during a panel discussion held at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi. The event marked Cena’s first appearance at MEFCC and came nine months after his final WWE match.
During the session, Cena, a 17-time WWE world champion, addressed a fan’s question about his motivation for engaging with people, particularly through his record-setting number of Make-A-Wish appearances. He emphasized the human desire for connection and belonging, calling it the core reason behind his interactions with fans.
“This is why we’re here,” Cena said. “As humans, we search and yearn for connection with people. We want to belong to something larger than ourselves.”
Reflecting on his career and public recognition, Cena credited the “magic of the universe” and his good fortune for his journey. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect with fans and described performance as a reciprocal exchange where audience attention and effort are never taken for granted.
Cena retired from in-ring competition in December 2025, concluding a yearlong farewell tour with a loss to Gunther at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, DC. He distinguished between live wrestling and acting, noting that while live audiences provide immediate feedback during wrestling matches, film work involves a delayed and less direct connection. “When you’re doing movies, you don’t have an audience,” he explained, “you have to make bold choices without immediate response and then wait years to see the reaction.”
Although retired from WWE, Cena stated he remains physically active and values maintaining his physical wellbeing. When asked about a hypothetical return for one more WrestleMania main event, he named NXT champion Oba Fem as an opponent who would reinforce his decision to retire.
On the topic of teamwork, Cena highlighted its expansive nature within WWE. He noted that performance is a collective effort involving not only wrestlers and referees but also production staff and large audiences, sometimes numbering over 100,000 spectators.
The conversation also touched on Cena’s recent film work, including the August 2026 release of “Coyote vs Acme,” a hybrid live-action/animation project delayed since 2023. He discussed the challenges of acting opposite animated characters and praised the contributions of visual effects teams and colleagues to making the process seamless. Cena said imagination is central to his creative process, and losing that ability would undermine creativity.
Regarding his role in the television series “Peacemaker,” Cena confirmed he had been advised against extensive comic-book research, suggesting a focus on performance over strict adherence to source material. He also questioned the assumption that audiences hold fixed opinions about characters prior to viewing their portrayals.
Co-panelist Pom Klementieff, known for her role in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, shared insights into acting alongside CGI characters like Rocket Raccoon, noting the use of stand-ins such as Sean Gunn and tennis balls on set to aid performances. She described the process as requiring strong imagination and adaptability.
The discussion briefly referenced fellow former WWE wrestler and actor Dave Bautista, whom both Cena and Klementieff have worked with. Cena praised Bautista’s success in balancing careers in wrestling and acting, as well as his generosity and kindness.
Closing the panel, Cena reflected on the finite nature of his wrestling career but affirmed his dedication to his fans and craft. “I know one day it will end, but that day is not today,” he said. “Today, I’m grateful for it, and I’m just trying to do my best to return the favour.”