During their significant rivalry leading up to WrestleMania 28 and 29, Cena frequently addressed Johnson for reportedly prioritizing his film career over his WWE commitments. Years later, having embarked on his own successful acting journey, Cena expressed a newfound respect for Johnson's achievements, noting that he did not fully grasp the scope of the career shift at the time.

Cena explained that his initial frustration arose from the belief that Johnson claimed to love wrestling but was infrequently present. He now recognizes that Johnson was building a substantial platform that has since facilitated similar transitions for other performers. Cena conceded that he lacked the maturity to appreciate the broader implications of Johnson’s choices during their initial feud.

The shift from wrestling to acting has become increasingly common within the industry. Performers like Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and Drew McIntyre have all reportedly balanced roles in film and television alongside their wrestling schedules. While some fans may still voice concerns about wrestlers taking time away from the ring, this career progression is now considered a normalized aspect of the business, allowing for a dynamic main event landscape.