The match between John Cena and AJ Styles at Crown Jewel 2025 was historic in every sense. The clash truly had all the right elements to be called an all-time classic. This was a highly oscillating clash where both WWE superstars dominated the other during large parts of the match.
A standout moment in the contest came when Cena delivered a relentless Spear to Styles, paying tribute to one of the most iconic rivals he had during his career, Adam Copeland, aka Edge.
The tribute to Edge was special because after Edge took an indefinite break from AEW after FTR attacked his wife, Beth Phoenix, at AEW All Out, there was an increasing speculation from fans that the Rated-R Superstar might return to WWE and become Cena’s final WWE opponent on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
In light of the special tribute he gave to Edge, here are all the moves from John Cena and AJ Styles that they delivered at In light of the special tribute he gave to Edge, here are all the moves from John Cena and AJ Styles that they delivered at Crown Jewel 2025 as homage to some of the most legendary figures in the WWE.
1. Skull Crushing Finale (The Miz)
The Miz was one WWE superstars who was frustrated with not getting involved against Cena at Crown Jewel 2025. He revealed his frustration during an interview with Adrian Hernandez recently, where he stated that he is angry at fans for not wanting the final match between him and Cena.
At Crown Jewel 2025, however, The Miz might finally have a smile on his face when John Cena, one of his greatest rivals, delivered his special move to AJ Styles, with the crowd elated at what they just witnessed.
2. The Accolade (Rusev)
John Cena’s time as the United States Champion was highlighted by his feud with Rusev, who portrayed himself as an anti-American hero back then. At the high-stakes PLE event in Perth, Australia, Cena delivered Rusev’s special move, ‘The Accolade’ to Styles in an attempt to make ‘The Phenomenon One’ tap out.
While that did not work out, it was impressive to see Cena delivering the move with perfection and acknowledging his historic feud with The Bulgarian Brute.
3. Scorpion Dead Drop (Sting)
Sting had a huge impact on the world of professional wrestling. The match between Cena and Styles paid homage to the former ECW Champion, with Styles delivering the Scorpion Dead Drop to Cena and immediately covering him for pinfall.
While Cena beat the count, the move evidently shocked and astonished him, including the wrestling enthusiasts witnessing it.
4. Coquina Clutch (Samoa Joe)
AJ Styles tried to outmatch the submission move from John Cena with a legendary lock of his own. When Styles delivered the Coquina Clutch to Cena fans reminisced about the time when Samoa Joe was a WWE superstar, and witnessing the iconic move was a must for fans who loved intense feuds inside the ring.
5. Walls of Jericho (Chris Jericho)
Probably the most iconic tributes by John Cena for the night. The moment came when Cena and Styles were involved in a to-and-fro attack on each other, with the attempt for both of them to make the other one tap out. Cena then delivered the remarkable move, originally used by Chris Jericho inside the ring. Fans were elated at the scene, and the excitement level just popped up after that.
6. Sister Abigail (Bray Wyatt)
Without a doubt, the most electrifying moments in the match came when John Cena delivered a Sister Abigail to AJ Styles. The legendary performer inside the ring who would’ve turned 38 this year was the most sought-after rival of the 17-time World Champion.
The crowd in Perth, Australia, gave an electrifying reaction to the iconic move from Cena. The scenes immediately after were a delight to watch; the entire crowd turned in support of the legendary superstar, who unfortunately passed away in 2023.
7. Pedigree (Triple H)
The special move of the current Chief Content Officer of the WWE would’ve also been a highlight of the night from Cena, but the ‘never-seen 17’ failed to execute it properly, countered gracefully by Styles, who pulled himself back in the attack with the remarkable move he executed in return.
8. RKO (Randy Orton)
Even though John Cena faced and defeated his arch-rival Randy Orton at Backlash 2025, he paid homage to The Apex Predator by executing his signature DDT and RKO against Styles. The former WWE Champion had absolutely no answer to the remarkably delivered RKO from Cena. However, even that couldn’t pull the trick for the Cenation protagonist against Styles.
9. Stomp (Seth Rollins)
Seth Rollins had a memorable night of his professional wrestling career at Crown Jewel 2025 against Cody Rhodes, but John Cena did not forget the ‘Visionary’ and tried to deliver a stomp while Styles was in position, completely exhausted by the relentless attack from him. Even though Styles pulled himself out at the right moment, Cena’s attempt at Seth Rollins’s special move highlights the kind of position he has inside the locker room.
10. Chokeslam (Kane)
The Big Red Machine Kane might have left the world of professional wrestling, but Cena did not forget the memorable storyline feud he had with him. ‘The Phenomenal One’ was completely down and out, and the end of the clash was near for him. However, just when the WWE universe thought the night couldn’t be any better, Cena executed a great Chokeslam and further cornered Styles in the clash.
11. 619 (Rey Mysterio)
John Cena and Rey Mysterio are, without a doubt, two great babyface superstars WWE had during the post-Attitude Era and beyond. During his high-stakes encounter against Styles, Cena tried to deliver the iconic 619 designed by Rey Mysterio in an attempt to create a standout moment for fans and wrestling enthusiasts alike. However, AJ Styles was quick enough to get out of harm’s way and deny Cena a perfect execution of the move.
12. Sweet Chin Music (Shawn Michaels)
During the final moment of the clash, AJ Styles did the unimaginable and executed a perfect sweet Chin music side kick right to the face of John Cena. The move was so remarkably delivered that it made the same impact as if delivered by Shawn Michaels himself. The entire Arena erupted as soon as Styles executed that move.
13. Tombstone Piledriver (The Undertaker)
The final crushing blow to AJ Styles came in the form of a memorable tombstone pile driver to the phenomenal one. The entire turn of events that led to the iconic move from John Cena was historic and unexpected.
Consequently, it sealed the fate of AJ Styles in the highest stakes encounter and created a historic memory for the fans, which they will certainly cherish for a long time to come. Styles and Cena both paid tribute to these legendary wrestlers and made this high-stakes clash one of the most iconic matches of Cena’s retirement tour.
What are your thoughts on John Cena versus AJ Styles at Crown Jewel 2025? Share with us in the comments below.
Crown Jewel 2025 is now streaming on ESPN in the United States and Netflix everywhere else.
