John Cena and AJ Styles will face off at WWE Crown Jewel on October 11 in Perth, Australia, delivering the AJ Styles WWE match that fans have eagerly awaited. Although some believed the match was arranged late, insiders confirm that WWE had planned this bout from the beginning of Cena’s farewell tour to heighten anticipation.
Strategic Narrative Created to Boost Interest in the Match
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE deliberately crafted a storyline to give fans the impression that the match might not materialize. Cena’s social media activity, tagging Triple H, alongside Styles’ frustrated promos on RAW, were all elements designed to cast doubt and generate excitement for the eventual showdown.
Meltzer explained,
The idea was they’d tell people ‘you’re not going to get this match’ — so to create a demand for the match, they basically told the story that Cena is paying tribute to him because he’s only got limited dates, and AJ ain’t getting it.
— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
This approach ensured the contest at Crown Jewel would be a high-profile event underscoring the longstanding rivalry between Cena and Styles, featured prominently during Cena’s farewell tour.
History of Rivalry and Significance of the Match
John Cena and AJ Styles previously clashed in some of WWE’s most memorable matches from 2016 to 2018, which are frequently cited among the best bouts in recent wrestling history. The upcoming match adds another chapter to this celebrated rivalry as Cena approaches the conclusion of his career.
Cena’s farewell tour is set to culminate in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, marking the end of an illustrious wrestling tenure that includes 17 world championship titles.
Mixed Reception to WWE’s Recent Wrestlepalooza Event
Wrestlepalooza debuted as the first WWE event under ESPN’s broadcasting partnership but received a lukewarm response, with ESPN’s reviewer Andreas Hale grading it a C. WWE officials were reportedly surprised by the critique, especially coming from their key new broadcast partner, as they felt the event was consistent with other recent pay-per-view productions.
Hale acknowledged the show featured strong moments but felt it fell short of living up to its promotional hype, lacking the “epic” atmosphere fans had been promised. Highlights from the event included Brock Lesnar overpowering John Cena, Stephanie Vaquer winning the Women’s World Championship, and the announcement of Stephanie McMahon as a 2026 WWE Hall of Fame inductee.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Celebrates Daughter’s WWE Path During UK Film Screening
At a special screening in the UK for his forthcoming film The Smashing Machine, which is set to premiere on October 3, 2025, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appeared alongside his daughter Simone Johnson, who is known in WWE as Ava and currently serves as NXT General Manager. During an interview with MTV UK, Johnson became emotional reflecting on his daughter’s decision to enter professional wrestling on her own terms.
Johnson shared,
Oh man, I’m so proud of her. I love what I did, I love wrestling, I grew up in wrestling. She [Ava aka Simone Johnson] was born into it too, just like I was and when she said, ‘I wanna do what you do.’ But the difference is, it’s why I get emotional, she’s like, ‘I wanna do what you do, but I wanna carve my own path.’ That’s a difference.
— Dwayne Johnson, Actor and Wrestler
He additionally noted,
You know it’s easy for any kid who wants to come up and do what their parents are doing maybe it’s not overt, but to utilize the influence. It never happened, I never got that call. Like, ‘Hey could you call someone?’ I never got that call, and that’s the truth, and that’s the thing that makes me proud.
— Dwayne Johnson, Actor and Wrestler
Additional Updates from the Wrestling World
Meanwhile, other news circulates within professional wrestling, including updates from TNA Wrestling as they prepare for the Victory Road 2025 special. Former officials and wrestlers like Charles Robinson have shared behind-the-scenes stories, such as faking injuries during matches and interactions with superstars like John Cena and Goldberg.
Wrestlers such as Santino Marella express confidence that TNA can surpass AEW as the number two wrestling promotion, despite the significant financial resources of AEW’s owner Tony Khan. Meanwhile, rumors about WWE stars Liv Morgan and AJ Lee’s backstage presence alongside Stephanie Vaquer circulate amidst the evolving WWE storyline landscape.
ESPN is refining its approach to covering WWE content on SportsCenter, aiming to balance sports news with wrestling entertainment. At the same time, reports surface about another reigning women’s titleholder in WWE announcing her pregnancy and vacating her championship, contributing to a wave of significant roster developments.
Looking Ahead to Cena’s Farewell and WWE’s Future Plans
The planned John Cena vs. AJ Styles clash reignites a rivalry prominent in modern WWE lore, offering fans a highly anticipated encounter during a pivotal farewell tour. This match not only creates meaningful closure for Cena’s in-ring career but also leverages WWE’s ability to build anticipation with strategic storytelling.
As Cena approaches his final scheduled match in December, WWE continues to navigate evolving storylines, broadcast partnerships, and talent developments that will shape the wrestling landscape going forward.
