John Cena defeats AJ Styles in a tribute match at WWE Crown Jewel

WWE held a new edition of Crown Jewel this morning, an event that took place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The show featured several interesting matches, highlighting the fight between John Cena and "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles.

AJ Styles surprised the audience with his attire, appearing in shorts, as in the past. John Cena asked Alicia Taylor to read a second introduction, reminding that AJ Styles comes from TNA and was a member of the Bullet Club, a gesture that delighted the crowd.

The match was very intense and both wrestlers went straight to the point from the beginning. After a few minutes, John Cena intensified the pace and managed to hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle, followed by the Attitude Adjustment. He went for the pin, but only reached two. Styles countered with the Ushigoroshi to relieve the pressure, but Cena surprised him again by applying the Skull Crushing Finale, The Miz's finishing move.

Later in the match, AJ Styles tried to apply the Styles Clash, but John Cena reversed it into the STFU, which The Phenomenal One then reversed in his favor. John Cena broke free from the pressure and applied the Accolade, in honor of Rusev, one of his great rivals from the past decade. He then applied the Walls of Jericho, which got the audience on their feet.

After several struggles, AJ Styles finally hit the Styles Clash, but Cena kicked out at two. Styles went to the apron and tried to hit the Phenomenal Forearm, but Cena intercepted him and hit the Sister Abigail, in reference to Bray Wyatt, another moment that got the crowd on their feet and lit up their phones, creating a beautiful moment for the viewer.

The match slowed down in the final phase, with John Cena paying tribute to Randy Orton by applying his DDT and RKO. AJ Styles also countered. Cena tried to finish with the Punt Kick, but Styles dodged it and hit the Attitude Adjustment. The crowd started chanting "619", and even Cena attempted it, but AJ Styles cut him off. Then it was Styles' turn, who hit Shawn Michaels' Sweet Chin Music.

Despite giving it their all at this point, neither of them gave in, and both unsuccessfully attempted their respective finishers. John Cena had to pay his final tribute, hitting the Tombstone Piledriver from Undertaker, followed by the Attitude Adjustment to secure the victory by a count of three. With this win, John Cena claims his 100th victory in PPV events.

John Cena is in the final stretch of his career and, after this match, he only has 4 more appearances scheduled in WWE. It is not very clear if his match against AJ Styles was planned from the beginning, but Cena himself requested it on social media.

There are rumors that WWE's initial plan was different, with John Cena facing AJ Styles at Crown Jewel for the Intercontinental Championship. However, Brock Lesnar's return to WWE at SummerSlam changed the entire previously planned script, and Cena had to face The Beast at Wrestlepalooza.