AJ Styles may have lost to John Cena at WWE Crown Jewel, but he has won fans over once again, as he has accomplished throughout his career, with another phenomenal performance. Some argue that he is unaware of just how much more he’s got to give and have made it clear they want him to enjoy one more world title reign before calling time on his career.
Fans Want World Champion AJ Styles After Crown Jewel
AJ Styles confirmed his intentions to retire in 2026 ahead of his match against John Cena at Crown Jewel, claiming he wanted to close the book on his in-ring career before the fear of “embarrassing myself” draws closer.
The Phenomenal One also wants to spend more time with his family, which is perfectly understandable given he’s given over 27 years of his life to the business. But on displays like the one against Cena at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, he is still as phenomenal as ever.
Styles and Cena, who retires on December 13th, put on yet another clinic as they have done throughout their careers, choosing to keep the action in the ring in a throwback to their Royal Rumble 2017 match. But they also paid homage to some of their past rivals and close friends, with the former TNA star producing moves in tribute to Christopher Daniels, Kazarian and Samoa Joe.
The 48-year-old suffered defeat down under, but his stock is as high as it’s ever been after another dazzling performance that has fans wishing to see him back as the face who runs the place. That was the stance on social media after his battle against the 17-time world champion.
One fan wrote:
“I don’t care what anyone says… AJ Styles NEEDS to win the World Title one last time before he retires.”
Another fan responded:
“30 minutes and they didn’t leave the ring once. Absolute classic.”
Styles’ last world title reign came all the way back in 2017 when he lost the WWE Championship to Cena at the Royal Rumble. He has since helped the younger generation get over, including Dominik Mysterio, whom he lost to for the Intercontinental Championship at Summerslam.
This hasn’t diminished the aura of one of the greatest in-ring performers as one fan even wants him to become champion at next year’s Rumble:
“He should be the one to dethrone Cody or Seth at Rumble.”
Another alluded to Cena’s self-written ring introduction for Styles, read out by Alicia Taylor:
“NEEDS TO. The intro should remind everyone who he is just as much as the match did.”
One proposed an intriguing rivalry:
“AJ Styles and CM Punk rivalry for the main belt.”
Styles hasn’t given a date for his retirement, but it could be closer than we think, given he told fans that his appearance at Summerslam would likely be his last at August’s PLE. A return to the main event scene on the Road to WrestleMania could be the perfect send-off.
Triple H Reacts To John Cena & AJ Styles’ Crown Jewel Classic
Triple H has paid tribute to both Cena and Styles in the aftermath of their final ever match against one another. WWE’s chief content officer applauded the legendary pair with a post on X
“(John Cena) and (AJ Styles) An all-time rivalry… Ends with an all-time match. Appreciate them while we can…”
When Cena announced his farewell tour, it was obvious we’d see the 48-year-old come up against some of the very best opponents of his career. Randy Orton and CM Punk seemed like certainties, especially given their status as still credible top main-event talent.
Styles warranted being one of Cena’s final opponents, but many feared his reduced TV time and time away from the main event scene ruled out the possibility of them meeting one last time. The feeling intensified when Brock Lesnar returned and took on the Greatest of All-Time on at Wrestlepalooza in September.
Fans supposedly made their voices heard and Cena intervened to ensure he faced Styles before finishing up his retirement tour. Their match is another to add to one of the best one-on-one rivalries in WWE history.
