During a recent interview, John Cena discussed significant creative adjustments made to his final year in wrestling, focusing on his WWE Crown Jewel 2025 plans. He revealed that his original opponent for the event in Australia was not AJ Styles, but Drew McIntyre, and explained the reasons for the change.
Shift From Drew McIntyre to AJ Styles for a Feel-Good Moment
Cena shared on the No Contest Wrestling podcast that the decision to replace McIntyre with Styles was driven by WWE’s desire to create a more uplifting experience for the fans. The company looked at audience feedback and data points, which influenced the pivot toward a positive and emotionally resonant match.
AJ was supposed to be Drew but it pivoted. We wanted to give them a feel-good moment because they were listening to the data points. They listen to you guys, they do. It’s real.
– John Cena
Highlights of Cena’s Match With Styles and Fan Reactions
The bout between Cena and Styles showcased numerous callbacks to their past rivals and opponents, earning high praise, including a four and three-quarter star rating from wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer. Cena acknowledged that fan reactions varied during his final wrestling run, with some moments receiving criticism while others were applauded.
“You have the Brock moment, people are pissed off. Then you have the AJ moment, things are great. Then you have the three-appearance run with Dom, which is fun,”
Cena noted, reflecting on the ups and downs of his storyline.
Adjustments to Character Direction and Creative Choices
Cena also revealed that his character’s babyface turn was originally intended for his SummerSlam match against Cody Rhodes but was shifted to occur earlier during a different episode. Furthermore, the choice for his character to smile and submit to Gunther in a recent match was a decision Cena made himself, aiming to close a chapter on his persona in a bold way.
It was a brave choice to say be like, we’re killing the character off. What’s the craziest way we can do it?
– John Cena
Significance of These Changes and What’s Next
The adjustments in John Cena’s Crown Jewel 2025 plans highlight WWE’s responsiveness to fan sentiment and the evolving narrative directions for major events. Cena’s candidness about his creative input underscores the collaborative nature of wrestling storytelling as he approaches the conclusion of his in-ring career. Fans can expect his remaining appearances to maintain a balance between nostalgia and innovative storytelling.
