John Cena makes his feelings clear on Vince McMahon and 'doesn't care who hears it'

John Cena made a frank admission about WWE co-founder Vince McMahon and is well aware he might receive some criticism for it.

Cena has been with the WWE since 2001 and been a world champion with the wrestling franchise a record 16 times.

The 47-year-old has held the WWE Championship on a record 13 occasions, plus the World Heavyweight Championship three times, and has won multiple other championships with the company.

Cena has also developed an acting career, starring in movies such as Bumblebee, F9, Fast X and The Suicide Squad, while he has also released a studio album and works for charitable causes including the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

McMahon bought the WWE - then known as the WWF - back in 1982 from his father Vincent and grew the company to almost monopolise the wrestling industry, buying other franchises such as WCW and ECW in the process.

Though he helped grow the company to its size and status today, McMahon remains a divisive figure owing to allegations over hush-money agreements he allegedly paid over affairs with former WWE employees.

The 78-year-old has now stepped away from the WWE completely and its merged parent company TKO Group Holdings.

The Rock, Vince McMahon and John Cena. (Image: Getty)

Cena has now offered his view on McMahon and the wrestler admits that he 'loves' the modern WWE co-founder, though he admits having that view may well lead to some people not being happy with his opinion.

He has become one of the few wrestlers to speak out and offer a defence of McMahon.

Speaking to the New York Times, Cena said: "I don’t care who hears it, I love Vince.

"I'm not downplaying anything...but when I love somebody, I love them wholeheartedly.

"I know people are going to be angry about that, but they can’t put their value on my relationship with somebody I love.

McMahon is currently facing a civil case filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant accusing him of sex trafficking and abuse.

A spokesperson for McMahon said the lawsuit is “replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself," as per NBC.