John Cena’s Swan Song: Was It The Best Match of His Career?
Let’s be honest, Cena fans, the WWE Premium Live Events held in far-flung locales can be a mixed bag. Sometimes you get a classic, other times you get a glorified house show that makes you question your life choices. Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia, felt like it was teetering on the edge of the latter after a lukewarm start.
A street fight that was about as “street” as a suburban cul-de-sac and a women’s championship match that was shorter than a commercial break had me reaching for the remote. But then, something magical happened. Two legends, John Cena and AJ Styles, stepped into the ring and reminded everyone why we watch this stuff in the first place.
This wasn’t just a match; it was a love letter to professional wrestling, a final, glorious chapter in one of the best rivalries of the modern era. And it single-handedly saved the show from being a total dud.
Cena vs. Styles: A Masterclass in Storytelling
Look, there was zero build for this match. None. Nada. In an era where every sneeze is part of a multi-week storyline, WWE just threw two of its biggest stars, both 48 years old, into the ring and said, “Go make magic.” And boy, did they. They knew they couldn’t replicate the high-octane battles of their youth from nearly a decade ago. So, they did something smarter. They told a story.
From the get-go, with AJ Styles rocking his old TNA gear, you knew this was different. The match started as a clinic of counters and reversals, a chess match between two grandmasters who knew every move in each other’s playbooks. Then, it transformed. Cena and Styles started digging deep, not just into their own arsenals, but into the arsenals of their past rivals.
It was a brilliant, nostalgic trip down memory lane. We saw Cena pull out The Miz’s Skull Crushing Finale and even Rusev’s Accolade. Styles answered with Samoa Joe’s Coquina Clutch and Christopher Daniels’ Angel’s Wings. It was a “who’s who” of wrestling history, a tribute match that somehow felt fresh and unpredictable.
Cena hitting a Sister Abigail in a touching tribute to the late, great Bray Wyatt was a genuinely emotional moment. This wasn’t just about winning; it was about respect. The finish was poetry in motion. Styles went for a high-risk move, Cena caught him, and in a callback to his legendary WrestleMania 23 match with Shawn Michaels, transitioned into a Tombstone Piledriver.
The Undertaker‘s move. To put a final, definitive stamp on his career, Cena hoisted Styles up for one last Attitude Adjustment. 1-2-3. It was perfect. This was more than just a win for Cena; it was a fitting, epic conclusion to his retirement tour and a match that will be talked about for years.
Was Seth Rollins’ Win Over Cody Rhodes Meaningful?
Following the Cena masterpiece was a tall order, but Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes gave it their all. The story here was all about Rollins. He was the World Heavyweight Champion, yet he had never beaten Rhodes. It was a stain on his record, an insecurity that gnawed at him.
The match was a descent into Rollins’ desperate madness. He tried his usual tricks, but Rhodes, the seemingly unbeatable hero, kept kicking out. The psychology was fantastic. Rollins grabbed the Rolex that Rhodes had gifted him, thought about using it, but his pride stopped him.
He wanted to win clean. That moment of hesitation nearly cost him everything. But after surviving an insane Avalanche Cross Rhodes, Seth’s desperation finally won. He used the watch, hit a couple of Curb Stomps, and finally got his victory. It was a cheap win, but it was the only way this story could end. It cemented Rollins as the top heel and finally gave his championship reign the credibility it needed. It wasn’t their best match, but from a storytelling perspective, it was a home run.
What Happened in the Rest of the Crown Jewel Card?
The rest of the night was… fine. The women’s tag match featuring Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Asuka, and Kairi Sane was a solid, energetic affair. Ripley, the hometown hero, got a massive pop, and the internal conflict with Sky and her former friends was well-played. It did its job and kept the crowd hot.
The Australian Street Fight between Roman Reigns and Bronson Reed, however, was a bit of a letdown. It was more about family drama within The Bloodline than a brutal fight. Jey Uso accidentally spearing Reigns was the big takeaway, setting up future conflict. Reed getting the win was a surprise, but the match itself was pretty standard and forgettable.
And then there was the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship match. Tiffany Stratton vs. Stephanie Vaquer. On paper, a great matchup. In reality, it was a squash match that lasted less than 10 minutes. Vaquer won decisively, making Stratton and the SmackDown Women’s Championship look second-rate. Unless there was an injury we don’t know about, this booking was baffling and a disservice to two talented champions.
Ultimately, Crown Jewel was a tale of two shows. A rocky start was completely overshadowed by an instant classic from John Cena and AJ Styles, and a strong, story-driven main event. It was a powerful reminder that when WWE gets it right, there’s nothing else like it.
