John Cena is set to face AJ Styles at Crown Jewel 2025, marking a crucial moment on Cena’s highly anticipated Retirement Tour despite his recent loss to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza. This matchup has quickly become a focal point for fans and analysts eager to see the 17-time champion continue his legacy in a meaningful and high-profile contest.
The significance of a marquee match at Crown Jewel
With John Cena no longer holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, every one of his remaining appearances demands significance. Rather than reduce his final matches to mere formalities, WWE aims to feature him against top-tier talent, enhancing the event’s prestige.
Although Logan Paul’s previous match with Cena garnered attention, many fans felt it lacked the gravitas expected for one of Cena’s final bouts. AJ Styles, known for his exceptional skill and respected standing in wrestling, offers a far more compelling challenge. Unlike a typical promotional stunt, this contest promises genuine competition between two seasoned professionals.
Even without a championship on the line, headlining Crown Jewel with two of wrestling’s greats elevates the event’s importance, similar to the impact of Sami Zayn’s Open Challenge series and Cena’s own previous high-profile matches.
Fan-driven demand for this rivalry
AJ Styles’ arrival in WWE sparked considerable speculation about potential dream matchups, with many fans eager to see him face off against top stars like Seth Rollins. Among these, a showdown with John Cena consistently ranks near the top of wish lists due to their reputations and wrestling styles.
Both Styles and Cena are often compared to Shawn Michaels for their eras, recognized for their ability to deliver outstanding performances regardless of the opponent. Their in-ring intelligence has elevated peers, much like Dolph Ziggler helped rising stars on NXT by providing consistently solid matches.
The widespread admiration for Styles, known as The Phenomenal One, ensures that fans will be deeply invested in this encounter no matter his role as a hero or villain, reinforcing the match’s appeal.
Why the Styles vs Cena showdown is a stronger storyline
AJ Styles recently played a frustrating role in a convoluted Intercontinental title feud, where Dominik Mysterio retained his championship through underhanded interference by El Grande Americano. This outcome was disappointing for many who saw Styles as overdue for another singles title run.
The post-title feud involving Styles shifted to a tag team rivalry with Dragon Lee against Los Americanos, a storyline viewed by many as a misuse of Styles’ proven talents. Instead of relegating him to a supporting angle, a high-profile match against Cena offers a far more fitting stage to showcase his skills and satisfy fans desiring a significant bout.
The historical depth behind Styles and Cena’s rivalry
The foundation of this match lies in their shared past. During Cena’s Retirement Tour, his quest to capture a 17th championship was paramount, a milestone he reached at WrestleMania 41 before subsequently losing the title at SummerSlam. With the championship no longer the central focus, the emphasis shifted toward creating memorable clashes with worthy adversaries.
Unlike faces like Logan Paul, Cena’s prior rivalries with Randy Orton, CM Punk, and Brock Lesnar featured extensive storytelling and built substantial anticipation. AJ Styles fits perfectly into this pattern due to their trilogy of matches between 2016 and 2017, several of which involved the WWE Championship.
During those encounters, Cena earned his 16th world title by defeating Styles, highlighting Styles as a legitimate competitor and not just a former TNA star. Their history adds emotional weight and credibility, ensuring their Crown Jewel match delivers both excitement and significance.
What to expect from AJ Styles vs John Cena at Crown Jewel 2025
This clash represents more than just another fight on the card; it’s a moment where experience, legacy, and fan anticipation converge. With both wrestlers at the peak of their craft, fans can expect a display of technical prowess, storytelling, and passion that only legends can deliver.
Given John Cena’s Retirement Tour is a carefully crafted farewell, each subsequent appearance must justify its place on the schedule, and facing AJ Styles fulfills this requirement perfectly. It highlights WWE’s strategy of leveraging proven stars to maintain audience interest while building toward Cena’s eventual retirement.
For AJ Styles, the match provides a chance to reaffirm his elite status on a grand stage, potentially setting the course for his own future pursuits and title opportunities. This high-profile encounter at Crown Jewel 2025 therefore serves as a pivotal chapter for both men and a must-see event for WWE enthusiasts worldwide.
.@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
