Samoa Joe reacts to tribute in John Cena vs. AJ Styles match at WWE Crown Jewel
Samoa Joe has reacted to the homage paid to him in the John Cena vs. AJ Styles match at WWE Crown Jewel.
Styles put Cena in Joe’s Coquina Clutch during the bout, one of several tributes to former rivals of Cena or Styles that took place. Speaking to CBS Sports, Joe called it “incredibly cool” to be included in the match.
“It’s incredibly cool,” Joe said. “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.”
“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 continued. “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.“
Joe continued to say of Cena and Styles:
“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.”
Several other wrestlers who had tributes made to them in the match have responded as well. The Undertaker posted to social media after the match, calling it, “A masterclass and beautiful tribute to wrestling.”
Styles did Frankie Kazarian’s “Fade to Black” piledriver at Crown Jewel. Kazarian responded at Bound for Glory, using Styles’ Pele kick and also Christopher Daniels’ Angels Wings. Styles would later post on social media, “@FrankieKazarian is more like my brother. The fact that I know what he’s saying without saying a word makes me smile when I see this.”
Up next for Samoa Joe, he will challenge Hangman Page for the AEW World Championship on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri.
Joe’s full interview with CBS Sports is available here.