John Cena’s retirement tour continued at WWE Crown Jewel 2025, and this time it came with a nod to one of his most memorable rivals. The 16-time world champion faced AJ Styles in Perth, Australia, in a match that was as much about history as it was about competition.
And according to Newsweek, along the way, Cena pulled out a move that long-time fans instantly recognized as a tribute to Chris Jericho.
During the bout, Cena locked Styles into Jericho’s signature submission, The Walls of Jericho. For fans who’ve followed WWE over the years, it was a striking moment: Cena borrowing the finisher of a man who not only defined an era of WWE but also left to carve out his legacy in AEW.
ESPN SportsCenter highlighted the moment on social media, showing Cena cinching in the move as the crowd erupted. Styles managed to escape, but the callback was clear.
Cena and Jericho’s history stretches back more than two decades. Their feud peaked in 2005, when Jericho became one of Cena’s first major challengers after he won the WWE Championship.
Jericho pushed Cena to prove himself as the face of the company, leading to a series of heated matches that helped solidify Cena’s place at the top. Though their rivalry cooled over the years, they remained linked as two of WWE’s defining names of the 2000s.
At Crown Jewel, the tribute added another layer to Cena’s farewell tour. This isn’t the first time he has honored past opponents: in recent months, he has used finishers from Edge, Bray Wyatt, and The Undertaker.
But Jericho’s inclusion stood out, given his departure from WWE and ongoing success elsewhere. By breaking out The Walls of Jericho, Cena reminded fans of a rivalry that helped shape both men’s careers.
The match eventually ended with Cena securing victory using his own Attitude Adjustment. Still, the lasting image was of him paying respect to Jericho through one of wrestling’s most recognizable holds.