arthur roy sitompulRiyadh, Saudi Arabia — The recent WWE Crown Jewel event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 4, 2023, featured a highly anticipated encounter between John Cena and AJ Styles. This contest, marking their fifth and final televised singles match, served as a poignant reflection on their illustrious careers, with both competitors incorporating signature maneuvers from past rivals into their arsenal. Among the most notable was AJ Styles’ unexpected application of the Coquina Clutch, a submission maneuver synonymous with wrestling veteran Samoa Joe. This gesture, a clear homage to his storied rivalry with Joe in their earlier careers, resonated significantly within the professional wrestling community, prompting a reaction from Joe himself.
Samoa Joe, currently a prominent figure in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and a former AEW World Champion challenger at the time of the interview, expressed profound appreciation for the tribute. "It’s incredibly cool," Joe stated in an interview with CBS Sports following the Crown Jewel event. He further articulated his admiration for both competitors: "Both those men are people I have unyielding respect for. I’m so happy to see they’ve enjoyed the successes they have had in their life. It was wonderful to be thought of in their big moment."
The Coquina Clutch, a rear-naked choke submission, has been a cornerstone of Samoa Joe’s offense for decades, a move that became iconic during his tenure in various promotions, including Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), now known as Impact Wrestling. Styles’ deployment of the move at Crown Jewel was interpreted by many as a nod not only to Joe but also to an era of professional wrestling that saw a significant rise in alternative promotions and the emergence of talents who would later define the industry’s landscape. The match itself was replete with such historical references, with Styles, in particular, digging deep into his past to acknowledge cornerstones of the Spike TV era of TNA, where he and Joe crafted a legendary rivalry.
The connections between Samoa Joe, John Cena, and AJ Styles extend far beyond shared locker rooms and televised contests, tracing back to the nascent stages of their careers. Joe’s relationship with John Cena, while never culminating in a televised WWE singles match, is rooted in their formative years within the wrestling industry. Both began their professional journeys around the same period, training and competing in Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW), a California-based independent promotion that operated between 1999 and 2007. UPW served as a significant developmental territory, fostering talents who would later achieve global stardom, including Brock Lesnar, The Miz, and Victoria, alongside Cena and Joe.
Related News :
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins Confirms Six-Month Layoff Following Shoulder Injury
- Saudi Arabia Secures Historic WrestleMania 43 in 2027, Marking First Event Outside North America
- Stephanie McMahon Set to Headline WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Following Surprise Induction Announcement by The Undertaker.
- Wrestling Icon Samoa Joe Reflects on AJ Styles and John Cena’s Impending Retirements and WWE Crown Jewel Tributes
- WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025: ESPN Debut Set to Unfold with High-Stakes Bouts and Championship Clashes
Joe recounted an anecdotal yet illustrative moment from their UPW days, highlighting the camaraderie and competitive spirit that characterized their early careers. He shared a story of Cena and fellow UPW alumnus Frankie Kazarian engaging in an impromptu eating challenge, consuming six pounds of chicken breasts from Joe’s father’s refrigerator. This narrative, while lighthearted, underscores the deep personal history and shared struggle that forged bonds between these future icons before their paths diverged onto different, yet equally successful, trajectories.
While Cena ascended to unparalleled heights as the face of WWE for over a decade, and Styles carved out a reputation as "The Phenomenal One" across various promotions before his eventual WWE arrival, Samoa Joe established himself as one of the most respected and feared competitors globally, known for his unique blend of martial arts, technical prowess, and intimidating presence.
The recent Crown Jewel event also served as a backdrop for significant announcements regarding the future careers of both Cena and Styles. John Cena, a record-tying 17-time World Champion, has been on what he describes as an "ongoing retirement tour," signifying a gradual winding down of his in-ring career to focus on his burgeoning Hollywood career. His final scheduled WWE match is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13. Styles, another long-standing pillar of the industry, recently confirmed his intention to retire from full-time in-ring competition within the next year, citing the physical toll of the sport. "I want to [retire] before my body can no longer move," Styles stated, acknowledging the brutal demands of a career spanning over two decades.
Samoa Joe, who himself has indicated a likely retirement once his current AEW contract concludes, articulated a nuanced perspective on his peers’ decisions to step away from active competition. While acknowledging the sadness fans might feel at the departure of such influential figures, Joe expressed profound happiness for his longtime friends.
"AJ is one of the few wrestlers who changed the face of wrestling. He’s definitely the prototype of an ideal wrestler and expanded that category," Joe remarked, offering high praise for Styles’ innovative style. Styles’ unique blend of high-flying acrobatics, technical precision, and hard-hitting strikes indeed revolutionized expectations for what a "main event" wrestler could be, influencing a generation of performers. His journey from independent circuits and TNA to becoming a multi-time WWE Champion at an age when many consider retirement cemented his legacy as a truly "phenomenal" talent.
Regarding Cena, Joe added, "Much like John, both had fantastic careers. I know for many fans it’s sad to see them go, and I can obviously see why. They’ve been such a big part of the industry for so long." Cena’s impact on WWE is immeasurable, not only through his unparalleled championship reigns but also his dedication to community service, notably through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and his successful transition into mainstream entertainment. His career, marked by a tireless work ethic and an unwavering connection with the audience, stands as a testament to sustained excellence.
Joe’s own perspective on retirement diverges from the public sentiment of loss. "For me, it’s a bit of a different perspective. I’m super happy for them both," he explained. "These are both men who’ve achieved in this industry. They really have careers they can kick back their feet and look at with tremendous pride and satisfaction. I’m always happy to see people enter that phase of their life in a healthy manner with great future prospects of other things on the horizon." This outlook reflects a deep understanding of the sacrifices and physical toll inherent in professional wrestling, emphasizing the importance of a healthy transition into post-wrestling life.
The imminent retirements of John Cena and AJ Styles, two titans of the modern era, mark a significant turning point for the professional wrestling industry. Their departure will leave an undeniable void, yet their extensive legacies, celebrated even in their final encounters, will continue to inspire. Samoa Joe’s heartfelt reaction underscores the deep bonds forged within this unique profession, where respect, history, and shared experiences transcend promotional boundaries, celebrating careers built on a foundation of dedication, innovation, and an "incredibly cool" impact on the sport.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
WWEDecember 2, 2025Wrestling Icon Samoa Joe Praises AJ Styles and John Cena’s Enduring Legacies Amidst Retirement Announcements and WWE Crown Jewel Tribute- WWENovember 30, 2025Paul Heyman Details Unraveling of The Rock, Travis Scott WWE Narrative Post-John Cena’s Heel Turn
- WWENovember 30, 2025Karrion Kross says WWE pulled contract offer after 24 hours: ‘We still want to work it out’
- WWENovember 30, 2025World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins Confirms Six-Month Layoff Following Shoulder Injury
Ali Akbar Rosady
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin
alina maya