John Cena says he still loves ex-fiancee Nikki Bella

John Cena, left, a cast member in the upcoming film 'Bumblebee,' addresses the audience as fellow cast member Hailee Steinfeld looks on during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon 2018, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, at Caesars Palace on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

LAS VEGAS -- John Cena says he still loves Nikki Bella after their sudden split earlier this month.

"I love Nicole with all my heart, and the split is very tough," the wrestler-turned-actor told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "But that's life. We all go through highs, we all go through lows. I'm going to get through it. I love her. I'll always love her. The fact that my heart hurts for her -- I know I was in love. So I'll always have that."

The 41-year-old performer was promoting the "Transformers" spinoff movie "BumbleBee" at CinemaCon, the Las Vegas convention for theatre owners.

The couple had been together for six years and got engaged a year ago on live TV during the WWE's Wrestlemania. They often took their relationship public, canoodling on red carpets and talking about each other in interviews.

Cena has made a successful transition from the WWE to acting, appearing in movies like "Trainwreck" and the recent R-rated comedy "Blockers." Bella stars in a reality TV show on E! called "Total Bellas" with her twin sister, Brie.