John Cena's Father Announces Unfortunate News - 'I'm Asking You All For Prayers'
John Cena Sr. has revealed that his girlfriend’s 42-year-old son, Tommy, was diagnosed with a rare case of ALS. He is asking fans to keep him in their prayers.
John Cena Sr. has turned to fans for support after sharing a personal update involving his girlfriend’s son. He asked the wrestling community to keep Tommy in their prayers following the difficult news.
Cena Sr. shared the news on X on Thursday, August 20. The 82-year-old father of WWE legend John Cena broke his usual pattern of wrestling-related commentary to make a deeply personal request. He revealed that Tommy, the 42-year-old son of his girlfriend, had just received a devastating diagnosis of a very rare case of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“I very rarely ask for something. Today, I am asking you all for prayers. My girlfriends son, age 42 was just diagnosed with a very rare case of ALS. I am asking you all for your prayers for him. Thank you, his name is Tommy. Thank you all for your prayers.”
I very rarely ask for something. Today, I am asking you all for prayers. My girlfriends son, age 42 was just diagnosed with a very rare case of ALS. I am asking you all for your prayers for him. Thank you, his name is Tommy. Thank you all for your prayers.
Cena Sr. did not provide any information about when Tommy was diagnosed or what doctors have told the family about his condition. He also did not elaborate on what he meant by a “very rare case” of ALS.
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive disease that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord involved in voluntary muscle movement. The condition can lead to muscle weakness and a gradual loss of physical function.
For now, Tommy’s diagnosis remains the only information the family has chosen to make public.
WWE Legend Shane Helms Joins Fans in Supporting Cena’s Family
The response to Cena Sr.’s post was quick, with fans filling the comments with messages of support for Tommy.
One of the wrestling names to acknowledge the post was Shane Helms, better known as The Hurricane. The former WWE star currently works as a producer for the company and is also signed to a WWE Legends contract.
Helms kept his response brief, sharing three emojis in reply to Cena Sr.:
“❤️🙏🏻✝️,” posted Shane Helms.
❤️🙏🏻✝️
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) August 20, 2026
His message was among the many expressions of support directed toward the Cena family following the announcement.
The news also arrives as ALS has remained a subject of particular attention within the wrestling community. AEW star Rebel (aka Tanea Brooks) has been open about her own battle with the disease, and her story has brought greater awareness of ALS among fans.
All Elite Wrestling will also honor Rebel with the special “Rebel Heart” edition of Dynamite on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to raise awareness and donations for I AM ALS and Team Gleason.