During an interview on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, Carlito addressed the 2004 storyline where John Cena was written off WWE SmackDown following an alleged stabbing incident at a nightclub. The storyline, which centered around their United States Championship feud, underwent several changes in its narrative over the years.
I don’t know what the official story is nowadays, they changed it over the years. Apparently, I was at the club and he got stabbed. I don’t think it was me that stabbed him, or my my buddy Jesus. I don’t think it was Jesus, or maybe it was, I don’t know. All I know is it wasn’t me. I think somebody at the club [did it]. Luckily, he made a movie during that time too. So we’re lucky he didn’t get stabbed that badly.
The storyline initially suggested that Carlito and his bodyguard Jesus were responsible for the attack, which kept Cena away from WWE television for several weeks. Currently, John Cena is scheduled to make regular appearances after WWE Elimination Chamber 2025.
Following his various Hollywood commitments throughout 2024, John Cena continues to balance his entertainment career with sporadic WWE appearances. His upcoming return after Elimination Chamber 2025 marks another chapter in his part-time role with WWE.