Styles
In a heartfelt reflection ahead of his retirement, John Cena opened up about a memorable moment from his farewell tour match against AJ Styles at WWE Crown Jewel 2025 in Perth, Australia. The 17-time World Champion revealed he regrets not clearing a special ring introduction he wrote for Styles, calling it a rare instance where he “went into business for myself.”
The Heartwarming Gesture at Crown Jewel
During their epic final one-on-one clash—renewing a rivalry from the 2010s—Cena surprised everyone by handing ring announcer Alicia Taylor a handwritten note. She read a custom introduction honoring Styles’ legendary career, referencing his time as the “definition of Total Nonstop Action” (TNA) and the “ace and undisputed boss of the Bullet Club” in NJPW.
The tribute caught Styles off guard, leaving him visibly stunned and emotional. Fans and backstage personnel hailed it as a classy nod to “The Phenomenal One’s” journey.
Cena’s Regret: Not Informing Creative
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Cena admitted the surprise extended to WWE’s production and creative team—no one knew about it beforehand.
“I just wanted to do something special… but I went about it the wrong way. I should have gotten permission,” Cena said. He emphasized that while his intentions were pure—to honor his longtime rival—he felt guilty for surprising the team that grants him creative freedom.
Post-match, Cena apologized directly to creative members: “That will never happen again… This is the one time I asked for forgiveness.”
A Testament to Mutual Respect
Despite the regret over process, the moment underscored the deep respect between Cena and Styles. Cena has called Styles “the best to ever do it,” while Styles praised the gesture as selfless, shifting focus to their shared legacy.
Their Crown Jewel bout, filled with homages to past rivals, earned rave reviews and a backstage standing ovation. As Cena retires and Styles plans his own farewell in 2026, this story highlights the camaraderie behind the rivalry.
What did you think of the special introduction? A perfect tribute or better with team input? Share your thoughts!