John Cena is gearing up for what is expected to be one of the final matches of his esteemed wrestling career, facing AJ Styles at WWE Crown Jewel VII. This long-anticipated bout was officially announced following an engaging exchange between Cena, Styles, and WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H, confirming the event for October 11 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. The John Cena AJ Styles match promises to be a dramatic attraction as Cena prepares for retirement.
History of Intense Rivalry and Teamwork Between Cena and Styles
John Cena and AJ Styles have crossed paths over 65 times since June 2016, developing one of WWE’s most celebrated rivalries. Their first singles encounter took place at Money In the Bank 2016, where Styles secured a win after about 24 minutes of competition. They faced off again in a 23-minute televised rematch at SummerSlam that same year, with Styles victorious once more. At the 2017 Royal Rumble, Cena captured the WWE Championship from Styles in another closely contested match lasting as long as their first meeting. By February 2018, Cena evened their televised one-on-one match record at 2-2 by winning a near 22-minute SmackDown main event.
Outside television, Cena has dominated their non-televised singles matches, holding a 16-1 record against Styles. In tag team action, he leads with 12 wins out of 13 matches alongside various partners. However, in multi-man contexts such as Triple Threat or Fatal 4 Way contests, Styles holds an advantage, boasting a 3-0 televised record and a 21-1 non-televised edge over Cena, with four matches won by other competitors. Their teamwork is notable as well, having first teamed up in July 2017 to defeat Rusev and Kevin Owens on SmackDown, and recently reuniting in September 2023 to overcome Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa in a blue brand dark main event.
The Role of Fans and Triple H in Making the Match Possible
On a Monday evening, John Cena took to the social media platform X to hint at a match with AJ Styles just before RAW began airing. Later that morning, he directly tagged AJ Styles and Triple H with a message highlighting the WWE Universe’s enthusiasm for one final showdown between them. AJ Styles soon responded, accepting the challenge, and within hours, Triple H officially sanctioned the match by releasing a promotional poster. Following this confirmation, Cena publicly expressed his gratitude to Triple H for accommodating the request and acknowledged the fans’ significant influence in making the bout happen.
“I want to thank @TripleH for being flexible here and rewarding the true driving force behind #CenavsStyles .. the FANS! 2 posts over 10m views and so many of you let yourself be heard! #WWECrownJewel Perth and @AJStylesOrg you will get my everything. Listening to our audience is ALWAYS what’s BEST for business! I am forever grateful to you all for choosing my next opponent. LFG!!,” John Cena wrote.
Anticipation Builds for a Career-Defining Match in Perth
The upcoming match between John Cena and AJ Styles at WWE Crown Jewel VII is more than just another contest; it marks a significant moment in Cena’s transition toward retirement. Their storied history, marked by fierce competition and mutual respect, adds weight to this encounter, generating intense excitement among the WWE Universe. With Triple H’s endorsement and the fans playing a decisive role, Cena promises to put forth his absolute best performance in front of the vibrant audience in Western Australia.
This event is likely to be remembered as a defining chapter in both superstars’ careers, potentially influencing their legacies within WWE. The match will also set the stage for how Cena’s in-ring journey will conclude, making it a must-watch for supporters worldwide and a testament to the lasting impact of both competitors on the sport.
I want to thank @TripleH for being flexible here and rewarding the true driving force behind #CenavsStyles .. the FANS! 2 posts over 10m views and so many of you let yourself be heard! #WWECrownJewel Perth and @AJStylesOrg you will get my everything. Listening to our audience is…
— John Cena (@JohnCena) September 23, 2025
