John Cena and AJ Styles are confirmed to face off during the WWE Crown Jewel Premium Live Event in Perth, marking a significant moment in Cena’s retirement tour. This highly anticipated match brings together two of WWE‘s most celebrated athletes, reigniting a rivalry that has spanned multiple encounters since Styles’ WWE debut in 2016.
The Longstanding Rivalry Between John Cena and AJ Styles
John Cena and AJ Styles first crossed paths shortly after Styles joined WWE in 2016, rapidly establishing a competitive dynamic. Their most notable encounter came at the 2017 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event, where Cena triumphed over Styles to secure his 16th WWE Championship. Since then, both men have teased future battles, building anticipation among wrestling fans worldwide for another showdown.
Recently, the match-up was officially confirmed by Triple H on X (formerly Twitter), further fueling excitement. He wrote,
“.@JohnCena vs. @AJStylesOrg is a match we all want to see. And at #WWECrownJewel…we will,”
underscoring the match’s significance for the event.
John Cena Addresses Match Selection and Fan Influence
John Cena recently took to X to clarify his involvement in the match selection process, stating that he does not personally choose his WWE opponents. Known as The Last Real Champion, Cena emphasized his commitment to listening to the fans, despite difficult circumstances in his career.
In a follow-up post tagging AJ Styles and Triple H, Cena expressed his eagerness for the encounter. He said,
“I do not choose my opponents, but I (even through tough times) ALWAYS listen to the fans. @AJStylesOrg are you listening? Better yet @TripleH….. are YOU listening??? #CenaVsStyles.”
This message highlighted Cena’s respect for the audience’s desires and his willingness to compete against Styles once more.
Recent Rivalries and Current Trajectories for Both Wrestlers
Throughout his ongoing retirement tour, Cena has squared off against some of his toughest opponents, including CM Punk, Randy Orton, and Brock Lesnar, the latter resulting in a recent loss to “The Beast Incarnate.”
Meanwhile, AJ Styles remains actively engaged in storylines involving El Grande Americano and Los Americanos, two factions stirring conflict within WWE. Styles is scheduled to team up with Dragon Lee on the next episode of RAW to face rivals from these factions, maintaining his presence in high-profile storylines.
Implications of the Cena vs. Styles Match at Crown Jewel
This confirmed match between John Cena and AJ Styles is poised to be a highlight at the Crown Jewel Premium Live Event, delivering a confrontation fans have long awaited. For Cena, it presents an opportunity to revisit a classic rivalry during the final stages of his career, while Styles can further cement his status as one of WWE’s premier performers.
As both wrestlers prepare for their upcoming meeting in Perth, the bout holds significance not only for the immediate WWE narrative but also for the legacy of Cena’s retirement journey and Styles’ continued prominence in the company. The outcome at Crown Jewel could influence future storylines and rivalries, setting the stage for potential new chapters in WWE’s evolving roster.
.@JohnCena vs. @AJStylesOrg is a match we all want to see. And at #WWECrownJewel…we will.
Saturday, October 11 on @espn & @netflix. https://t.co/PhF5NM6AoC pic.twitter.com/Z7nsRuXwTb
— Triple H (@TripleH) September 23, 2025
