John Cena has opened up about his rivalry with AJ Styles, and what he wants to see happen next when it comes to The Phenomenal One’s career.
During Styles’ decade in WWE, the former World Champion crossed paths with Cena multiple times, including as part of Cena’s retirement tour. However, just 3 months after their nostalgia-filled match at Crown Jewel, Styles also brought his WWE career to an end following his loss to Gunther.
The final clash between Cena and Styles was not built up on TV as Cena was not around during this point. Instead, the match was made official on social media following a back and forth between both men. Speaking with Joe Baiamonte of Sports Illustrated about the build, Cena first noted what Styles meant to him as a performer and as a person:
“So I guess what AJ Styles means to me is that you can do it at a high level for a long time and be kind. And that’s super important. I was privy to a bit of inside track on AJ’s career path, obviously working with him and discussing what we could physically do and not do, so I really wanted to do my best in Perth, to try to give him a send off that I thought was worthy of such a gentleman.”
“What do I think AJ Styles should do next? Gosh, he has earned the right to do whatever he damn well wants. He has spent so much of his life really risking his health for all of the fans of sports entertainment. He was NWA World Champion, he dominated over in Japan, he worked for TNA, he worked for WWE. He can do whatever he wants. He has earned that right.”
AJ Styles and John Cena: A Brief History
After decades of performing all around the world in promotions such as TNA and New Japan, Styles shocked the world when he finally made his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble. When the face of WWE and TNA finally stood in the same ring, fans first showed their appreciation before booing Styles as he turned heel on the 17-Time World Champion. Their first match with one another would take place at Money in the Bank 2016, with Styles picking up the victory. Styles beat Cena again at SummerSlam before finally picking up the win over The Phenomenal One at Royal Rumble 2017, and in the process winning his 16th WWE Championship.
Featured image: WWE
