John Cena is definitely what you would call a man’s man. But the guy has a softer side, too.

“I think over the years those misconceptions are being shattered one by one. You know, I do have a bold and sometimes stern exterior with the WWE, but moments like me proposing to Nicole in front of 75,000 fans at Wrestle Mania let’s everyone know that there’s times that are tough but you’re never too ashamed to say you’re in love,” he said of his romantic proposal to fellow professional wrestler, Nikki Bella, to Entertainment Tonight.

“I hate doing these things without her, and I know she wanted to be here but we still got a great movie and I’ll be thinking of her when I see it,” he explained while on the red carpet. “We don’t get too much time with each other, and it’s kind of a way for us to steal a date out of our schedule so I was looking forward to seeing her. I haven’t seen her in a few weeks. I’ve been going around the world and she’s been busy as well.”