This article dives deeply into whether John Cena’s match with AJ Styles at Crown Jewel 2025 qualifies as the best. It examines the buildup, historical context, in-ring performance, match length, crowd reaction, legacy stakes, and comparisons to other legendary matches.

Historical Rivalry & Build-Up

John Cena and AJ Styles first crossed paths in WWE premium live events (PLEs) at Money in the Bank 2016, a match Styles won. They later met again at SummerSlam 2016 and Royal Rumble 2017, with Styles holding a 2-1 advantage across those three encounters. Their most recent PLE meeting saw Cena defeat Styles at Royal Rumble, earning his 16th WWE Championship and tying Ric Flair for most world title reigns.

Prior to 2025, Crown Jewel had been held six times, all in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The first Crown Jewel took place on November 2, 2018, headlined by D-Generation X vs. Undertaker & Kane. Roman Reigns has the most main event appearances with three and is 4-1 overall at Crown Jewel, 3-0 in main events. Before 2025, John Cena had only one Crown Jewel match (in 2023), where Solo Sikoa pinned him. Styles held a 2-2 record at Crown Jewel, his two wins coming at the first two editions—defeating Samoa Joe in 2018 and retaining the U.S. title against Humberto Carrillo in 2019.

Match Announcement & Backstage Dynamics

John Cena initiated a fan campaign on social media to secure one more match with AJ Styles during his farewell tour. He thanked Triple H for listening to fan demand, saying, “2 posts over 10m views … you will get my everything.” Triple H officially announced John Cena vs. AJ Styles at Crown Jewel on September 23.

Reports revealed that the storyline of Cena and Styles “struggling” to get booked was a gimmick. The match was always scheduled for Australia, but WWE creative framed it as if fan demand had forced the decision. This use of reverse psychology successfully generated buzz, considering Cena’s limited dates left on his schedule.

Match Delivery & In-Ring Execution

The Cena vs. Styles bout lasted 27 minutes and 10 seconds and was considered a “Match of the Year” contender. They revisited rivalries, incorporated callbacks, and told a story that intertwined their shared history. Cena even performed “Sister Abigail” as a tribute moment, earning huge reactions from the crowd.

The match featured smooth sequences, near-falls, and high-impact moves that kept the audience invested throughout. Chants of “This is Awesome” echoed across the arena, and every transition highlighted the chemistry that made their previous encounters special. Critics gave the match an A+ grade, calling it an “instant classic” that represented the history of professional wrestling over the past two decades.

Crowd Reaction & Atmosphere

At the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, Cena, and Styles electrified the live audience. The energy never dipped; near-falls and signature moves triggered roaring reactions. The intensity of the fans reflected the emotional weight of two legends, wrestling each other for the last time.

Every moment carried a sense of finality and respect. Both superstars gave the impression they were closing chapters of remarkable careers, creating a mix of nostalgia and excitement that elevated the match beyond its technical aspects.

Statistical & Career Context

In 2025, John Cena held a 5–4 PLE record during his farewell tour. His first PLE win of the year came at Elimination Chamber in March, while his most recent loss before Crown Jewel was to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza.

AJ Styles entered Crown Jewel with a 2–2 record at that event. His previous victories included defending the WWE Championship over Samoa Joe in 2018 and the U.S. title over Humberto Carrillo in 2019. His last PLE win before Crown Jewel came on November 26, 2022, at Survivor Series: WarGames against Finn Bálor.0

Other matches on the Crown Jewel 2025 card were also strong. Seth Rollins defeated Cody Rhodes in 29:41 for the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship with an A+ grade. Stephanie Vaquer beat Tiffany Stratton in 10:05 for the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship with a B grade. Bronson Reed defeated Roman Reigns in 21:04, and Ripley & Iyo Sky overcame the Kabuki Warriors in 19:56. Compared to those, Cena vs. Styles balanced duration, emotion, and legacy impact better than any other match on the card.

Is It the “Best Ever”?

A match is the best depends on innovation, storytelling, crowd engagement, execution, and historical context. Cena vs. Styles scored exceptionally in all these categories.

The emotional storytelling between two icons facing their twilight years added unmatched weight. Their execution was flawless under immense pressure. The crowd’s passion aligned perfectly with the match rhythm, and the pacing—27 minutes and 10 seconds—allowed for buildup without overstaying. While it might not have introduced revolutionary spots or stipulations, its balance of legacy, emotion, and performance puts it among the all-time greats.

Contract, Money & Business Implications

Though WWE did not disclose exact contracts, marquee bouts like this are typically backed by multimillion-dollar guarantees. The match’s worldwide broadcast on ESPN in the U.S. and Netflix internationally drew significant advertising and sponsorship value.

The marketing strategy of pretending Cena and Styles had to “earn” the match was a masterstroke. It increased fan engagement, boosted ticket sales, and made the event trend globally. Tie-ins such as the Caesars promo code were part of the digital promotions that helped monetize viewership and fan engagement across regions.

Legacy Projection & Lasting Impact

For John Cena, this match solidified his farewell tour as one of WWE’s most emotionally satisfying closing runs. It showed that even near retirement, he could deliver elite-level performances.

For AJ Styles, the bout added to his already decorated legacy, proving his ability to perform at the highest level against another all-time great. The shared respect and chemistry between them will define how fans remember this era. The encounter itself will stand as a blueprint for future legend-versus-legend matches—where storytelling, nostalgia, and execution combine to create timeless wrestling moments.

Comparisons to All-Time “Best Ever” Matches

Wrestling’s “best ever” matches often include Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (WrestleMania XXV), Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (WrestleMania X), Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada (New Japan), and Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XIV).

Cena vs. Styles aligns with these classics in emotional depth, crowd connection, and flawless execution. Where it may trail is in innovation and stipulation variety, as it did not break genre boundaries or introduce unprecedented elements. Still, it belongs in the conversation alongside them for its emotional and historical impact.

Fan & Critical Reception Post-Event

Critics called Cena vs. Styles the “crowning moment” of the show, labeling WWE’s highest bar for farewell matches. The match’s A+ grade cemented it as the must-watch performance of the night.

Fans echoed this sentiment online, with many calling it Cena’s greatest farewell performance and debating if it surpassed legendary WrestleMania bouts. Its blend of nostalgia and athleticism gave fans both closure and excitement. Because of its layered storytelling, the match has immense rewatch value. Each callback, each exchange, and each emotional cue rewards repeated viewing, ensuring it remains one of the defining contests in modern WWE history.

Final Verdict

After considering every stat, name, record, and performance metric, John Cena’s match at Crown Jewel 2025 stands as one of the greatest modern WWE matches. It may not unseat every historical masterpiece, but for its era, its emotional storytelling, crowd response, and technical precision make it unforgettable. For many fans, it was not just a great match—it was the perfect farewell moment that reminded the world why John Cena and AJ Styles are two of the best to ever step into a wrestling ring.