John Cena, Nikki Bella Break Up After 6 Years, End Engagement
WWE superstars Nikki Bella and John Cena released a joint statement informing the public that they are calling off their engagement.
A Shocking Split
The two wrestlers issued a statement through US Weekly, shocking long-time fans of their power couple antics.
"While this decision was a difficult one, we continue to have a great deal of love and respect for one another. We ask that you respect our privacy during this time in our lives," they said.
The split will come as a huge surprise to viewers who have watched the two work together for years on WWE TV. They also starred in the reality show Total Divas and its spinoff Total Bellas.
Both shows charted Bella's desire to settle down with a reluctant Cena. Meanwhile, Bella's twin sister Brie and her wrestler husband, Daniel Bryan, chastised her for settling for a man who wasn't ever going to commit to her.
However, naysayers had nothing to say when Cena proposed to Bella. He popped the question at Wrestlemania 33 last year.
Cena, 40, and Bella, 34, were a couple since 2012. They were seen together at Wrestlemania 34, in New Orleans, on April 8. It was their last public appearance together.
Hinting At The Trouble To Come
Blockers star Cena posted a cryptic Instagram post on April 14, hinting at the impending split.
"We were together. I forget the rest," read the quote, from Walt Whitman.
He shared another an Instagram post, once the split became public, that appears to be related to the unfortunate news.
"WORST DAY EVER!" he wrote, accompanied with a reference to The Simpsons.
The wrestling star opened up in an interview last month, revealing how difficult it is to keep things going when both he and Bella are on the road. To top it off, he is also juggling his blossoming acting career.
"Relationships are hard. ... We work every day on us. We have our problems just like everybody else. ... Anytime I get upset, I always just realize that I can't live without her and I love her and that's why I cave in on a lot of stuff," he said at the time.
Cena admitted that he didn't want to be in a position where he couldn't take on a project because of how Bella might feel. He didn't want Bella to deal with the same issue too, adding that they've struggled to find that balance in the past.
Difficult To Find That Balance
When the two appeared on the red carpet at the Kids' Choice Awards in March, Cena told reporters they were doing much better following a difficult time in their relationship.
"It's a weird thing that our relationship is public for the world to know, [but] what a good takeaway for the folks at home -- relationships are tough. It's hard work, and a lot of times, it has to do with looking at yourself," he said.
In January, the couple revealed their wedding plans were about to go into overdrive since there is a lull in their busy schedules.
Cena is known for being a bit difficult when it comes to his house, infamously making Bella sign an agreement before the two moved in together.
The WWE Superstar's pickiness formed the basis of a story-line on Total Bellas after Brie and Bryan moved in to Cena's Tampa compound, disrupting everything.
The third series of the hit show drops May 10 on E!, presumably with episodes prior to Cena and Bella's big relationship announcement.
