WWE has carefully orchestrated the buildup for the John Cena AJ Styles match set to take place at Crown Jewel on October 11th in Perth, Australia, using a blend of social media and strategic scheduling. After John Cena’s decisive loss to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza, WWE creatively leveraged digital platforms to generate excitement for Cena’s next match against AJ Styles, a rival he has faced multiple times before.
Crafting Anticipation Through Social Media Engagement
Following his defeat at Wrestlepalooza, John Cena was absent from television appearances leading up to the Crown Jewel pay-per-view event in Australia. WWE needed an innovative method to hype the upcoming match without traditional promotional means. Cena himself tapped into his social media presence, asking his over 14 million followers on Twitter if they wanted to see him wrestle AJ Styles again, which sparked a strong affirmative response from fans.
WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H (Paul Levesque), confirmed the match’s creation after noticing that Cena’s social media posts related to the bout accumulated more than 10 million views. This viral interest essentially transformed online fan engagement into official confirmation that John Cena would face AJ Styles again on October 11th.
Strategic Use of Social Media to Generate Demand
According to Wrestling Observer Radio and longtime wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, WWE planned the match for Australia from the beginning but used a social media “angle” to stoke interest deliberately. Meltzer explained that the storyline involved Cena and AJ Styles expressing mutual desire to compete again, creating an impression the match was uncertain. This was designed to build fan demand, as the narrative suggested Cena was paying tribute to Styles while wrestling limited dates, implying the match might never actually happen.
“They did a little social media gimmick. Essentially, Cena pretended he wants this match and AJ said he wants this match, and they got fans to say they wanted the match. Paul Levesque said, ‘I hear you fans and I’m going to give you this match.’ So they used social media to do an angle.By the way, this match was always scheduled for Australia. Always. So the whole deal with Cena and AJ, the idea was Cena was doing a tribute to him because he wasn’t gonna get to wrestle him. That was actually to build to this match, that was not actually ever the case.The idea was they would tell people, you’re not gonna get this match, which meant people were – nobody was gonna clamour for the match – so to create a demand for the match, they basically told the story that Cena’s paying tribute to him because he’s only got limited dates, and AJ ain’t getting it.”
— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
Fightful Select reported that WWE’s decision to announce the John Cena AJ Styles match via social media was not fan-driven, but a planned promotional tactic. The report confirmed WWE never booked the match because fans demanded it, but rather intended to use modern platforms to increase anticipation around the bout.
History and Significance of the John Cena and AJ Styles Rivalry
The rivalry between John Cena and AJ Styles dates back to mid-2016, coinciding with AJ Styles’ first year in WWE. Their early encounters quickly became renowned, especially their highly praised match at SummerSlam 2016, where Styles secured a win. The following year, at the Royal Rumble 2017, Cena triumphed over Styles to claim his 16th WWE World Title in a match that many heralded as one of the best of the year.
The upcoming clash at Crown Jewel is another chapter in this storied rivalry, representing one of Cena’s final big singles matches. The bout in Australia holds special significance, marking a reunion of two of WWE’s most decorated athletes on a major international stage.
Additional Developments in Wrestling
Other wrestling news includes AEW Dynamite’s approaching 6th anniversary, for which a major title match has been confirmed, highlighting a growing spotlight on competitor promotions. Meanwhile, the wrestling world continues to buzz with rumors about upcoming matches, surprise returns, and backstage dynamics.
Notably, a former AEW Champion has recently returned from injury, reigniting fan enthusiasm. Chelsea Green shared insights into WWE’s creative environment and her efforts to distinguish herself by attempting to make opponents break character. In a surprising move, a prominent ex-WWE World Champion has publicly expressed interest in facing Hiroshi Tanahashi, adding intrigue to future cross-promotional possibilities.
Backstage morale within WWE under new management by TKO has also come under scrutiny, shedding light on the challenges faced by wrestlers behind the scenes. Additionally, an AEW star was medically suspended following an attack at the All Out event, further intensifying attention on wrestler safety and company protocols.
Why the John Cena AJ Styles Match Matters
The carefully cultivated buildup to the John Cena AJ Styles match reflects WWE’s evolving approach to fan engagement and event promotion, pivoting from traditional advertising to interactive social media storytelling. By leveraging Cena’s sizable online following and manufacturing suspense, WWE successfully reignited excitement for a marquee event despite a lack of frequent TV promotion.
This strategy also underscores the importance WWE places on the match as a centerpiece for Crown Jewel, highlighting the enduring popularity of both John Cena and AJ Styles. The bout’s placement in Australia expands WWE’s global reach and caters to its international fan base, reinforcing the company’s emphasis on worldwide markets.
Going forward, WWE’s use of digital platforms for hype-building could signal how future high-profile matches will be announced and promoted. For fans, the John Cena AJ Styles match possesses emotional weight, representing not only the continuation of a legendary rivalry but also a glimpse at the final runs of two wrestling icons on the world stage.
