Vince McMahon Paid $500,000 Fine for John Cena Match at Madison Square Garden

Nic Nemeth, also known as Dolph Ziggler, shared a memorable story about a Steel Cage match against John Cena at Madison Square Garden in December 2012, describing it as one of his favorite matches. The event faced a strict curfew, and if exceeded, the venue would impose a $500,000 fine. With only eight minutes left before curfew during the main event, Vince McMahon decided to pay the fine so the match could continue and the fans could get their money's worth. Nemeth recalled that despite the financial penalty, McMahon insisted they extend the match to 30 minutes to satisfy the audience. This incident highlights McMahon's commitment to fan experience, even at significant cost. Cena, who announced his retirement in 2024, continues to be a major focus in WWE, with several farewell appearances scheduled, including at Madison Square Garden.