During his retirement tour in 2025, John Cena revealed that the original plan for WWE Crown Jewel was to face Drew McIntyre. Instead, Cena ended up wrestling AJ Styles in a match that marked the conclusion of a significant rivalry late in Cena’s career. This change occurred amid several adjustments as the WWE adapted its creative direction and event lineup.
Why the Matchup Changed From McIntyre to Styles
Cena explained in an interview with O’Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Henderson on No-Contest Wrestling that the shift was necessary due to factors like fan reactions and internal data analysis. He stated,
“I try to plan it as a year of creative experiences, but you have to be able to pivot. You don’t have Rock, you don’t have Travis (Scott). ‘We’re going to do this and this.’ AJ was supposed to be Drew. We pivoted. You want to have a feel good moment because they were listening to the data points. They do. It’s real,”
highlighting the need for flexibility in WWE creative decisions.
The audience’s response played a vital role, as some moments, such as a confrontation with Brock Lesnar, were poorly received, while the encounter with Styles generated a positive atmosphere that the WWE wanted during Cena’s farewell. Cena also mentioned his appearances alongside Dominik Mysterio as one of the enjoyable parts of that year.
Highlights and Final Matches of Cena’s Career
Cena reflected on the variety of moments throughout his retirement tour:
“You have the Brock moment, people are pissed off. You have the AJ moment, and things are great. You have this three appearance run with Dom, which is fun. Then, the Ring General,”
further illustrating the highs and lows of his final year in the ring.
John Cena officially retired from WWE on December 13, 2025, after a final defeat by GUNTHER. AJ Styles, who had retired previously at the Royal Rumble, earned praise from Cena for their Crown Jewel match. Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre has moved on to focus on his partnership with Logan Paul and his championship goals in the lead-up to WrestleMania 42.
The Importance of WWE’s Creative Flexibility During Major Events
Cena’s revelations about the original plans for Crown Jewel and the subsequent changes underscore the challenges WWE faces in balancing storytelling, fan expectations, and real-time reactions. The ability to pivot creatively appears to be crucial for maintaining engagement during significant moments like a top star’s retirement. With McIntyre shifting directions and Styles exiting, WWE’s upcoming WrestleMania 42 will likely showcase fresh storylines built from these dynamic adjustments.
