John Cena's retirement run has left a lot to desired. When he announced his time in the ring was coming to an end, excitement grew because of the opportunity to tell an amazing story with one of the most important acts in the business. That didn't happen. Instead, there were a lot of missed opportunities along the way. Missed opportunities that almost included not booking John Cena versus AJ Styles. That match has come together, but not in the way many expected.
WWE announced John Cena versus AJ Styles for WWE Crown Jewel: Perth via a simple social media post. No major build on television. No big video tease to the match news. Just a single post online. That led to many people to speculate that this match was not originally on the docket. Yet, it was fan pressure, along with Cena and Styles publically calling for it that "forced" Triple H's hand to make the match. Wherever you may fall on beliving that spectrum, that fact remains that this shouldn't have been this hard to get.
Cena has less than ten matches remaining before he hangs up the jorts. Styles may not be his top rival, that spot would go to someone like Adam Copeland (Edge) or Randy Orton. But Cena versus Styles was an important moment for both men, specially for Styles who used that feud to prove that he belonged in WWE's main event after building an honored career in TNA/IMPACT and New Japan Pro Wrestling. "Beat up John Cena" became more than a catch phrase, but the path to further recognition for Styles.
John Cena versus AJ Styles should be the feud that not only represents the end of Cena's career, but kicks off the story for Styles's retirement as well. Styles has openly talked about winding down his career, and many fans wonder if WWE will be where things end, or if they will get to see some dream matches with him in All Elite Wrestling. There's no telling what will happen, but no one would be surprised if WWE failed to tell an interesting story there either.
WWE Crown Jewel: Perth is set for Saturday, October 11. As of this writing, only 16 days remain before the PLE. Don't expect for WWE to attempt to tell an interesting story with John Cena versus AJ Styles. Instead, the company will go the lazy route and lean on the name value of each man, even though there's so much to tell between the two.