WWE superstar John Cena has revealed why he felt compelled to honor AJ Styles with a memorable sendoff during their match at Crown Jewel 2025. Their encounter not only marked a significant moment in the careers of both men but also served as a tribute to Styles’ imminent retirement from wrestling.
The two veterans, who share a storied rivalry dating back over a decade, reunited with the intention of crafting a fitting farewell for Styles after learning he planned to retire following the Royal Rumble event.
When he told me that [he was going to retire at the Royal Rumble], when we were planning our thing in Australia, I immediately was like, he’s not going to get a sendoff. [I told myself] He’s going to get one in Australia,
Cena said on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast.
And a lot of people love AJ Styles. I love AJ Styles. We use the word love when we communicate, like he’s a person close to my life. He’s brought the best out of me, he’s virtuous, he’s a nice guy. He’ll give his body for the business till he can’t go anymore. And he never wants to be a diminished version of himself. I really respect his core value of mine. It’s huge. So when he’s like, ‘I’m out in the Rumble,’ and I kind of put the math together of like, ‘Oh, my last opponent is his last opponent probably.’ Yeah, that makes sense. I know how I’d put that match together. I know how he put that match together.
Designing the Match: A Tribute Through Moves
The bout, which ended with Cena victorious, was praised by Triple H as a heartfelt tribute to professional wrestling itself. Cena elaborated on how they incorporated a range of moves, particularly those associated with their previous adversaries, making the match a layered homage to their careers.
And I started doing some homage moves knowing that I had him, and I’m like, ‘Dude, you do so much stuff. I want to have a match where you can do all your stuff.’ Which is why, in two-fold, I get to pay respects to the guys I haven’t been in the ring with. So, that’s pretty cool. But now my moveset is up. I got to somehow do a magic trick to fight in his weight class. I don’t have any more moves. And it’s tough to teach a 49-year-old dog,
Cena explained.
Styles contributed the idea to include tributes to wrestlers he faced during his tenure in TNA, adding an additional layer of significance to the contest.
But I’m like, ‘Yo, this will be a full homage for me and that’s how you can do anything you want and we can put on this great match.’ And he’s like, ‘Well, what if I do it as a homage to, like, the guys I dig in TNA?’ I’m like, ‘That’s perfect.’
Styles’ Career Wrapping Up Amid Legacy Moments
While John Cena had retired before AJ Styles’s final WWE appearance, the Phenomenal One participated in the recent Saturday Night’s Man Event, which also served as Cena’s own farewell event. There, Styles teamed with Dragon Lee against Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater, underscoring his active contribution up to the close of his career.
Significance of the Crown Jewel Farewell
This match at Crown Jewel not only celebrated AJ Styles’ career but also highlighted the deep respect and friendship between two of wrestling’s most recognized figures. Cena’s intentional crafting of the bout as a “love letter” to wrestling and the mutual homage paid to their past rivals enrich the context of the sendoff. The encounter serves as a powerful milestone, marking both the end of Styles’ in-ring journey and a testament to the bonds forged through years of rivalry and sportsmanship in WWE.
