Introduction: Crown Jewel 2025’s standout night
WWE Crown Jewel 2025 rolled into RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, and delivered a bell-to-bell show that fans will remember for years. John Cena and AJ Styles rewound the clock in a match that felt both retrospective and revolutionary, Seth Rollins seized a defining moment, and Stephanie Vaquer continued her meteoric rise on the main roster. With the dust settling, here are five takeaways that map WWE’s path forward from this standout event.
1. John Cena’s retirement run hits its groove
It’s tough to put into words how special Cena’s arc has become. His clash with AJ Styles, followed by a championship loss to Cody Rhodes, stood out as two of the best matches in Cena’s 23-year Hall of Fame career. The Styles bout, positioned as a final chapter for two legendary rivals, felt like a genuine bid to honor decades of rivalries—from Bray Wyatt and Sting to Samoa Joe and The Undertaker.
Cena, at age 48, still moves with surprising agility and intensity, raising questions about the timing and quality of his remaining appearances. The gap between this performance and his earlier retirement tour dates — including a recent, less satisfying confrontation with Brock Lesnar — underscores how dramatically the bar has been raised for his final WWE stretch. With just a handful of dates left, Cena set a high watermark for what the closing chapters can look like: emotional, technical, and utterly convincing.
2. A win that elevates Seth Rollins
Heading into the event, the narrative was clear: could Seth Rollins prove he belonged at the very top of WWE’s pecking order when facing Cody Rhodes? Paul Heyman’s setup—limiting interference from The Vision—gave Rollins a genuine chance to stand on his own and shine. With a bit of help from the post-match token, Rhodes’ watch, Rollins captured the Crown Jewel Championship in a moment that felt earned and earned again in the ring.
The victory nudges Rollins up the ladder, placing him in a more balanced position alongside Rhodes. The Rhodes-Rollins chemistry is undeniable, and WWE has fertile ground for future feuds between two of the company’s most natural rivals. When Rollins is in rhythm, matches between these two feel like inevitabilities that fans crave, ensuring future programs won’t miss a beat.
3. WWE is all-in on Stephanie Vaquer
Stephanie Vaquer’s ascent has been rapid and compelling. By dethroning Tiffany Stratton, Vaquer became the second Women’s Crown Jewel Champion and a focal point of WWE’s women’s division. The arc suggests she’s positioned for a main-event role at WrestleMania 42-level stakes, and a potential clash with Liv Morgan is a tantalizing prospect given Morgan’s inaugural-Crown Jewel history and recent championship pedigree.
On the other side, Stratton’s loss invites a reset. A shift in storytelling—perhaps integrating fresh rivals for a late-year push—will be essential to maintain momentum. Vaquer’s trajectory signals WWE’s willingness to push young, international-based talent into heavyweight title picture status, broadening the division’s global appeal.
4. Bronson Reed’s win feels more about Jey Uso and Roman Reigns
Bronson Reed’s pin over Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel hinted at a new level for him, but the night’s real drama came from workplace dynamics involving The Usos and Reigns. Reed’s victory, aided by the chaos of a post-match showdown, still read as a significant step for Reed’s trajectory. Yet the enduring storyline remains Reigns versus The Usos, a feud that continues to shape WWE’s present while testing how new stars like Reed fit into the wider ecosystem.
5. Rhea Ripley’s wonderful return to Australia
Rhea Ripley is WWE’s adaptable weapon, ready to slot into virtually any spot. In her Australian hometown, Ripley supplied a sustained crowd reaction that kept the event energized after Cena vs. Styles and before the main event. The crowd chemistry underscored the value of star power anchored in geographic relevance, and Ripley’s presence helped anchor a card that might otherwise have faced a lull mid-show.
Looking ahead, Ripley’s next moves could involve a high-profile program with Stephanie Vaquer or a marquee showdown with a returning Liv Morgan, among other possibilities. The ongoing storylines suggest a multi-front approach heading into Survivor Series and beyond, with WrestleMania season offering even bigger stages for her versatility.
Conclusion: A blueprint for WWE’s future
Crown Jewel 2025 demonstrated WWE’s ability to blend nostalgia with momentum, pairing veteran greatness with rising stars and compelling storytelling. Cena and Styles delivered a nearly perfect match that felt like a historical letter to wrestling. Rollins climbed to a new rung on the ladder, Vaquer established herself as a cornerstone of the roster, and Ripley’s home-field energy kept the audience engaged from start to finish. If WWE can sustain this blend of legacy and uplift, the road ahead looks bright for both the main roster and its global audience.
