AJ Styles Makes Stunning WWE Comeback: Match Card Shake-Up & WrestleMania Implications

WWE icon AJ Styles is once again commanding headlines as “The Phenomenal One” gears up for a marquee clash with John Cena at Crown Jewel 2025, scheduled for 11 October in Perth. The bout, officially announced by WWE this week, will revive one of modern wrestling’s most celebrated rivalries and could mark a pivotal chapter in Styles’ storied career. The 48-year-old veteran hinted as recently as last Monday that retirement may be looming, telling reporters he intends to “wind things down within the year,” fueling speculation that the Crown Jewel showdown could be among his final major appearances. If so, the Cena match offers Styles a chance to cement his legacy on a grand stage—one where the duo previously produced classic encounters that elevated SmackDown’s new era in 2016–17. Adding intrigue, Styles was spotted cageside at UFC 320 in Las Vegas this weekend, sparking rumors of cross-promotion possibilities after he was shown on the arena screens and received a thunderous pop from the crowd. While no official partnership has been confirmed, insiders note that Endeavor’s ownership of both WWE and UFC makes talent crossovers more feasible than ever. Inside WWE, creative plans reportedly revolve around highlighting Styles’ “one last run.” Sources indicate the company wants the former two-time WWE Champion prominently featured on Raw episodes leading into Perth, with possible face-offs against Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes to stoke fan interest. Merchandise pushes—including a limited-edition “Phenomenal Farewell” tee—are said to be in production. For Cena, the Crown Jewel meeting presents an opportunity to avenge his loss in their acclaimed 2017 Royal Rumble encounter and to bolster his own sporadic in-ring résumé between Hollywood projects. Expect high-octane build-up segments, nostalgia-laced video packages, and heavy social-media promotion as WWE positions the bout as a generational clash fans “can’t miss.” Whether or not Styles formally hangs up his boots after Crown Jewel, the impending match has already reignited global interest in one of wrestling’s most acclaimed workers. Ticket demand for the Optus Stadium event surged within hours of the announcement, and searches for “AJ Styles retirement,” “AJ Styles vs John Cena,” and “Crown Jewel 2025 card” are trending upward across major platforms. With Perth primed to host 60,000-plus fans, and whispers of post-match tributes in the works, AJ Styles appears ready to deliver another classic—possibly his last—while the world watches to see if the “Phenomenal” era truly draws to a close.