Last July, during the Money in the Bank event in Canada, John Cena announced he would retire from WWE competition in 2025. His announcement quickly sparked buzz worldwide, with fans speculating about his final opponent.
One of the most popular names fans predicted for the 16-time champion’s last match was AJ Styles. After all, who could forget their iconic rivalry in 2016-17? Styles recently reacted to Cena’s heel turn and addressed whether he’d like to face him one more time.
AJ Styles Didn’t Expect John Cena To ‘Sell Out’
After winning the Men’s Elimination Chamber match at WWE’s premium live event, Cena shocked the internet with his heel turn, aligning himself with The Rock and launching a brutal attack on Cody Rhodes.
Travis Scott, who once again made his presence felt in WWE, stunned fans by getting physically involved in the attack. Journalist Dave Meltzer recently reported that Rhodes suffered serious injuries, likely caused by the rapper’s punches.
Cena is now set to face Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, and aside from The Rock, we could see other WWE stars get involved. Who knows? Styles might even enter the feud and side with Rhodes.
On Monday Night Raw, Styles was asked about Cena’s heel turn and admitted he didn’t expect him to “sell out.”
“Wow, I didn’t see that coming. John Cena, selling out!” Styles said.
AJ Styles is about to speak on John Cena's heel turn but Karrion Kross interferes.#WWE #WWERawpic.twitter.com/qdZqZSUjpQ
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) March 4, 2025
Before Styles could say more, Karrion Kross interrupted him, saying he understood Cena’s situation because he had been in a similar position.
Styles Would Love To Wrestle Cena Again
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Styles was asked if he might face Cena during his retirement tour, to which the veteran said he’d love to wrestle his longtime rival one more time.
“I don’t know. I don’t make those decisions. I would love to have it, for sure, it’d be fun. Honestly, I think that there’s something about, I can’t explain it, why him and I get so well together. I don’t know what it is, because we’re definitely not the same in any kind of way.
“It just works. The first time I got in the ring with him, it was like, Wow, dude, that was cool. So, yeah, I would love the opportunity to work with Cena again.”
Styles also recently announced he plans to retire before turning 50. He turns 48 this June, meaning fans likely have only two more years to watch him in action.
Cena and Styles first squared off in a 1-on-1 match at Money in the Bank in June 2016. At the time, Cena was the obvious babyface, while Styles played the heel. Their rivalry was a fan favorite, and with Cena now embracing his villainous side, Styles could join forces with Rhodes against him.
Before both legends retire, fans would love to see one final Styles vs. Cena showdown.