Another one bites the dust. John Cena and Nikki Bella have called it quits and broken off their year long engagement, per a report from Us Weekly. The pair released a joint statement announcing their split, saying that "While this decision was a difficult one, we continue to have a great deal of love and respect for one another." The statement went on to request that fans "respect our privacy during this time in our lives."
For many fans of Cena and Bella this split seems to be coming out of nowhere. In fact, the two got engaged almost exactly one year ago. Cena got down on one knee at Wrestlemania 33, asking Bella to be his wife. Before their engagement, Cena and Bella had been dating since 2012 and cemented a spot as one of the cutest celebrity couples. According to US Weekly, they were last were spotted in public together at Wrestlemania 34 on Sunday, April 8.
Cena has spoken about the more challenging aspects of keeping a relationship alive recently, as well, which in hindsight might have foreshadowed some trouble in paradise for the beloved celeb couple. He told US Weekly, the outlet that reported the split, that "relationships are hard. Don’t ever think that love is easy. Love is beautiful, but we’ve had to come to the realization after being together for five years that love is not easy."
Cena went on to say that he and Bella “work every day on us" and that they "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.” Ugh. That quote is tough to read now. Cena also revealed in that same interview that the couple tended to spent months apart at a time, which has got to be extremely difficult for any relationship.
He ended the interview on a slightly telling note, saying "when we do see each other, it’s our time together. I think, for now at least, that is certainly what’s making this work.” Sigh. Wishing all the best to these two as they navigate this heartbreaking time in their lives.