John Cena is scheduled to face Brock Lesnar at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza event, but his opponent for the following major show, Crown Jewel 2025, has yet to be announced. The Crown Jewel event is set for October 11th, 2025, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, marking the first time this WWE premium live event will take place outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Following the bout with Lesnar, speculation is rising about who Cena will face at Crown Jewel, with some suggesting an open challenge approach could create exciting possibilities involving top-tier WWE talent.
Open Challenge Format Could Fuel John Cena vs. AJ Styles Match at Crown Jewel
John Cena has recently adopted a strategy of issuing open challenges, which has allowed various superstars to step into the ring against him. This approach notably led to Logan Paul securing a match against Cena at Clash in Paris, offering a fresh dynamic for the veteran wrestler.
On the wrestling podcast Notsam Wrestling, commentator Sam Roberts voiced the opinion that Cena should face a competitor like AJ Styles rather than repeatedly battling younger or less experienced wrestlers. Roberts emphasized the potential excitement an open challenge at Crown Jewel could generate by delivering a high-caliber matchup fans desire.
“With everything that we’ve seen, I almost go, okay, that’s the moment for him to just go to Crown Jewel and do an open challenge, right? What if you just advertised it that way? John Cena goes to Perth with an open challenge and that way it could be anybody. And we’re all buzzing about who it could be. It could be a Brock Lesnar rematch. It could be this. It could be that. And then we get one of these matches that we’re looking for. Maybe that’s where you can do the AJ Styles match. Maybe that’s where you can do uh I don’t know. There’s so many. I would probably say, ‘Okay, if you want me to just pick, I’m going to go no match on Raw in Massachusetts. Wrestlepalooza with Brock Lesnar. Crown Jewel Open Challenge answered by AJ Styles’.”
—Sam Roberts, Notsam Wrestling host
This concept envisions Cena traveling to Perth and announcing an open challenge, with speculation growing over potential challengers, including rematches with Brock Lesnar or unexpected appearances like AJ Styles. Such a format would maintain the unpredictability and heightened interest in Cena’s next high-stakes showdown.
Despite rumors, it is believed that AJ Styles will not be part of Cena’s Farewell Tour. However, Cena has paid tribute to Styles by using Styles’ signature moves, demonstrating respect and hinting at a possible future encounter without officially confirming it at present.
WWE Landscape: Recent Headlines and Developments
Besides Cena’s ongoing storyline, several notable updates are emerging within the WWE universe. Ric Flair recently shared his uncertainty surrounding the circumstances prior to Hulk Hogan’s death, highlighting lingering questions in wrestling history.
Adam Pearce, the General Manager of WWE’s RAW brand, is facing significant accusations from a top WWE star, signaling possible internal challenges within the company’s leadership.
Tensions have escalated between TNA and AEW executives, with TNA viewing AEW as a rival, intensifying competitive dynamics in professional wrestling promotions.
TKO, WWE’s parent company, defends its lean cost structure amidst scrutiny of how it affects wrestler compensation, amid ongoing discussions about pay and contract fairness in the wrestling industry.
Ex-WWE Universal Champion has revealed an unfortunate health update that requires surgery soon, bringing attention to the physical toll wrestling places on performers.
Meanwhile, Jey Uso’s anticipated heel turn could be as impactful as Hulk Hogan’s historic heel turn, though fan reactions appear mixed on this character development.
AEW has been embroiled in controversy as two of its stars may face repercussions after a camera crew was attacked during an altercation with fans, putting the organization under scrutiny.
The Usos are set to reunite and face The Vision members Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed at Wrestlepalooza, promising a high-profile tag team match that adds further excitement to the event.
Significance and Expectations for the WWE Crown Jewel Event in 2025
The decision to move Crown Jewel 2025 to the RAC Arena in Perth signals WWE’s continued international expansion and willingness to diversify event locations. John Cena’s involvement, especially if he issues an open challenge, could be a pivotal moment that reignites fan engagement and creates fresh storylines heading into the closing months of the year.
A potential match between Cena and AJ Styles would be particularly significant, bridging generations of wrestling talent and offering fans a high-quality, memorable encounter. An open challenge format also aligns with WWE’s desire to maintain suspense and flexibility in creating matches that captivate audiences.
As Wrestlepalooza approaches with Cena facing Lesnar, the WWE universe will be watching closely to see whether the Crown Jewel Open Challenge materializes and which superstar emerges to answer it, shaping the storylines for both the event and Cena’s ongoing legacy in WWE programming.
