United Kingdom, May 14 -- John Cena has defended his "emotional connection" to Vince McMahon.

The 48-year-old wrestler turned Hollywood star - who is currently on a year-long retirement tour with WWE - has opened up on the backlash he faced for saying he still "loves" the former WWE boss, who is facing allegations of sex trafficking and sexual misconduct.

Speaking to Us Weekly about the reaction to another recent interview, he said: "Everybody's entitled to their opinion.

"Just like I'm entitled to have an emotional connection to somebody.

"I don't hold anybody or how they feel or what they view as permissible or things that'll make them angry, happy, excited, sad. That's their right as a human being."

He added that he's "not surpris...