John Cena’s ongoing retirement tour reached a new high at WWE’s Clash in Paris, where he secured a victory over Logan Paul. The 17-time World Champion showcased his enduring skills with a notable performance, reminding the WWE Universe that his time in the ring remains significant despite the nearing end of his career. As Cena approaches his final eight appearances with only a few premium live events left, fans are eager to see which opponents he will face before retiring.
Among the many possibilities, one name that stands out in the fans’ minds is AJ Styles. Cena and Styles previously built a memorable rivalry that captivated wrestling enthusiasts, and Cena has made subtle references to Styles during this tour, fueling excitement for a potential showdown. While a match against Brock Lesnar remains in Cena’s schedule, there is growing anticipation from fans for Triple H and WWE officials to include AJ Styles in Cena’s farewell plans.
Hints Towards an AJ Styles Confrontation at Clash in Paris
During his Clash in Paris match against Logan Paul, John Cena gave fans a striking nod to AJ Styles by executing a Styles Clash on the YouTube star. This move stood out, as Cena also incorporated other signature moves from past rivals such as Christopher Daniels, Cesaro, and Baron Corbin. Although Cena and Styles have yet to directly engage on this retirement tour, that particular move has been widely seen as a sign of respect and perhaps a teaser for a future match.
Since Cena announced his retirement tour, the WWE Universe has speculated about which former rivals he would wrestle again. Matches against Randy Orton and CM Punk were at the forefront, alongside the surprise inclusion of Brock Lesnar. Yet, AJ Styles remains a fan-favorite contender for a final bout, especially given their rich past and the enthusiasm surrounding their history together.
The possibility that Cena and Styles could share the ring one last time requires no elaborate storyline; simply the desire from both men and the WWE Universe could be enough to make it happen. Fans are invested in their rivalry and firmly believe that recreating their past chemistry would provide a thrilling conclusion to Cena’s career.
The Rich Legacy Between John Cena and AJ Styles
AJ Styles quickly rose to prominence after joining WWE, building on his long career in TNA Wrestling and becoming a key main event star. A significant factor in his WWE success was his rivalry with John Cena, which produced some of the company’s most memorable moments between 2016 and 2017. Their feud was thrilling, pitting WWE’s top face against a former TNA icon, which added a rare and captivating edge to their storylines.
Together, Cena and Styles competed in at least 15 televised matches, starting with their clash at Money in the Bank 2016. Their rivalry was marked by intense battles for the WWE Championship, including standout performances at SummerSlam 2016 that are still praised today. Besides the action in the ring, Cena and Styles enjoyed meaningful professional respect for each other, pushing one another to new heights during their confrontations.
John Cena‘s acknowledgment of AJ Styles as one of his key rivals underscores the enduring impact of their encounters on wrestling fans and the WWE Universe. Whether or not they meet again in the ring, their past clashes have left a lasting impression that continues to resonate with their audience.
Challenges and Possibilities for Cena vs. Styles Before Retirement
Despite widespread enthusiasm from fans, the reality of scheduling such a match presents complications. Cena’s remaining appearances are limited, and AJ Styles is currently engaged in a feud with Dominik Mysterio over the Intercontinental Championship, which occupies his current storyline focus. Balancing these factors could delay or even prevent the anticipated match from materializing.
Nevertheless, the demand from fans remains strong, and Cena himself has made remarks hinting at the importance of paying tribute to those who shaped his career. Speaking after the Clash in Paris event, he referred to his use of signature opponent moves as a form of homage, directly highlighting Styles.
“The best way I can say thank you to some of those people who affected my career is to kind of pay homage… doing some stuff that I don’t normally do out there… I gotta shout out AJ.”
—John Cena
This sentiment underlines the possibility that WWE could still accommodate a Cena vs. Styles match, even if it means including it in a special episode of WWE SmackDown rather than at a major pay-per-view event. With Cena’s tour intended as a gift to the WWE Universe, fulfilling this fan-favorite matchup would be a fitting celebration of both performers’ careers.
