PITTSBURGH --  At the Mellon Arena around 5:30 Tuesday evening, John Cena's WWE colleagues reacted favorably to the news of his successful surgery, performed earlier in the day by renowned neurosurgeon Joseph Maroon, to repair his herniated disk.

"I have all the respect in the world for John Cena. I've known him for a long time. He has great determination and he's incredibly focused," explained Big Show. "John has overcome many hurdles and has blown through any barrier in his way. He has changed our industry in many positive ways. I think this surgery, if anything, would help get John the rest he needs. The guy is constantly going all the time .… He's a freak of nature."

The World's Largest Athlete added, "Right now, it's good for a lot of guys who are in title contention, because John Cena is not involved. However, John Cena will be back, and they will have to deal with him when he returns."

WWE Hall of Fame commentator Jim Ross, having announced many of John Cena's most electrifying matches on Raw, also witnessed the three-time WWE Champion make a speedy return this past January at the Royal Rumble.

"I'm happy to hear that the surgery was as successful as it was" Ross said. "It wouldn't surprise me if before long, after getting out of a hospital bed, that John Cena is going to be training."

The SmackDown play-by-play announcer continued, "Cena's work ethic and toughness don't really surprise me. I'm just really happy that this [surgery] worked out well for him."

Although WWE Champion Triple H has had several memorable bouts with the former WWE Champion, he has always seen John Cena as a friend and respected him as a fierce competitor.

"John Cena has proved in the past, with his pectoral injury, just how tough he is. He's a mutant … an alien," said The Game. "Two hours after having surgery on his disk, he's at the arena with a band-aid on his neck saying ‘Hello' to everybody.

"Part of Cena's strength is not only his physical power," the WWE Champion added. "It's his mental toughness and his passion. Two hours after surgery, he wants to be at the arena saying ‘Hello' to everybody in the WWE locker room. ... God help us all when he returns."