- WWE Crown Jewel 2025 was held in Perth, Australia, for the first time.
- Seth Rollins defeated Cody Rhodes to win the men’s Crown Jewel Championship.
- Stephanie Vaquer became the Women’s Crown Jewel Champion by defeating Tiffany Stratton.
- In a highly anticipated match, John Cena was victorious over AJ Styles.
For the first time, WWE Crown Jewel was held outside of Saudi Arabia and instead in Perth, Australia, for the 2025 edition. The premium live event features the top champions of the company facing off for the right to be the ultimate title-holder. That meant Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins meeting while Stephanie Vaquer and Tiffany Stratton squaring off in a battle of rising stars, and some underdogs pulled through for a major win.
That wasn’t all that transpired. In a meeting of legends, John Cena and AJ Styles met for one last time, and they put on an absolute thriller in one of the best matches of the year. Australia natives Rhea Ripley and Bronson Reed were in action, and they had some big performances in their home country.
Watch: Crown Jewel post-show
WWE Crown Jewel Championship match: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins
A matchup both stars desperately wanted to win, Rollins was clearly a different person from the get go, playing desperate knowing how much a victory would do for him. He raged at the announcers and was showing frustration in how Rhodes had the early lead. When Rollins’ powerbomb didn’t lead to victory, he was extremely upset at the referee.
Rollins eventually got the upperhand and that’s when you saw him finally go back to himself, taunting Rhodes with a Stardust and Dusty Rhodes homage. Of course, it eventually bit him back as Rhodes started rolling, getting a Cody Cutter and a bionic elbow in to rattle the World Heavyweight Champion.
Rhodes looked like he was keying in on victory with a Cross Rhodes, but Rollins countered with his own version of it. He landed it but the pin didn’t work, and the frustrations again continued for him. After he was unable to get the victory again, Rollins went out and grabbed the Rolex watch that was once Rhodes’ father. He thought about using it, but he decided not to. The time spent was detrimental, with Rhodes recovering and landing the Cross Rhodes. Rollins kicked out just in time to stay alive.
The tide turned again in Rollins favor, and he turned in a wild coast-to-coast headbutt on Rhodes. A few moments later, the two met at the top turnbuckle, with Rollins landing a Spanish fly, only for Rhodes to again kick out. Rollins looked like he was going for a flying stomp, but Rhodes met him on the turnbuckle again. He then landed a flying Cross Rhodes, and Rollins kicked out of that.
They got to their feet and traded blows, but Rollins grabbed the watch and knocked Rhodes when the referee didn’t see. He was knocked down and Rollins delivered not just one stomp, but a flying stomp for good measure. It was enough and Rollins got the pin to win the Crown Jewel Championship.
After the win, Rollins was presented the Crown Jewel Championship and ring, and he was joined by the women’s winner Stephanie Vaquer.
Analysis: Redemption. Rhodes has haunted Rollins for years, and he desperately needed a win. A loss would’ve been catastrophic for what he has built, especially since Rhodes has had his number. A win and Rollins can continue to build what’s becoming a dominant story in The Vision.
It was clear how desperate he was for it, and although he did resort to some sneaky tactics, he did it without his stablemates interrupting and that’s huge for his reputation. He can in fact do it on his own and prove he’s one of the best in the business.
The World Heavyweight Champion needed a victory. He got it, and 2025 is officially the year of Rollins.
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)
The Kabuki Warriors were aggressive out of the gate, attacking their opponents the moment the bell rang in a surprise to Sky and Ripley. Once things settled, Sky and Asuka were in the ring as former friends and now foes squared off in a very frantic pace from the two. Sky had the advantage over Asuka, but when she took the action outside of the ring, Sane came in to help halt the momentum and get the advantage for the Kabuki Warriors as they went to work on their former ally. The punishment to Sky was brutal and looked far more aggressive than typical tag matches.
After several minutes of struggling, Sky finally got the hot tag to Ripley and she wasted zero time clearing up the ring against her opposition. Sane tried to put up a fight against Ripley but she wasn’t able to overpower the Australia-native. Sky came back in and Sane looked to be able to neutralize her, thanks to some help from Asuka. The Kabuki Warriors were calculated in baiting Ripley and Sky into rough spots.
Ripley looked to have Sane ready for the Riptide, but she got out and tagged in Asuka to help execute an InSane Elbow. A pin would’ve put the match away, but Sky broke up the tag. The momentum suddenly shifted to Ripley and Sky, who used a combination of a Riptide and Over the Moonsault to put the Kabuki Warriors away for the win.
Winner: A captivating tag team match from four highly talented stars, delivering a bout that never felt dull. The match flowed so well, it was remarkable to see the chemistry on display. Every star got the chance to shine, something that can really make a difference in the quality of tag team matches.
It was extremely unlikely to see Ripley lose in her home country, but the match did a great job of making it seem like it was possible. The story between these four doesn’t seem over just yet, and it was a great start to what should be a fun segment to watch.
Watch: Rhea Ripley makes entrance in home country
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
Two faces of a generation had a traditional lock-up to begin the highly anticipated match, turning back the clock as they tried to get an early advantage. Styles had a slight upper hand, seeming to be just a step ahead of Cena. The 17-time champion didn’t stay down for long, executing a Five-Knuckle Shuffle against Styles and following it with an Attitude Adjustment for what looked like what could be a quick victory. However, Styles kicked out.
Styles converted a modified AA on his opponent, but hurt his knee in the process and wasn’t able to get a cover. It gave Cena enough time to recover and he used The Miz’s Skull Crushing Finale on Styles, which wasn’t enough for the win.
Soon afterward, Cena went for the STF submission that was turned into Styles’ own version of it. A submission fury went on with Cena rolling into a Camel Clutch and then trying a Walls of Jericho. Styles rolled into a Calf Crusher before Cena went with another STF.
Styles got out of it and readied Cena for the Styles Clash, which hit. However, Cena kicked out of the pin attempt. ‘The Phenomenal One’ readied for the Phenomenal Elbow, but Cena caught his opponent and had him set up for Sister Abigail in a homage to Bray Wyatt. It landed but the pin didn’t work, and the crowd brought the fireflies out.
Finally, both stars took a moment to breathe and traded blows against each other. Cena tried a Pedigree, only for Styles to drop his opponent on his head. Both stars were down and Styles tried to pin, but Cena kicked out just in time. Cena got up and paid homage to longtime rival Randy Orton with Vintage Orton and then an RKO. However, the pin wasn’t enough, and Styles got up to land the AA, which also didn’t land a pin. Styles went for a Five-Knuckle Shuffle when Cena grabbed his neck just like The Undertaker, and landed the devastating Chokeslam.
Styles perfectly executed a 450 on Cena, and he got the band ready for a Sweet Chin Music, which landed but didn’t result in a win. He followed it with a Phenomenal Elbow, but that didn’t lead to a win either. Another AA from Cena wasn’t enough. Cena then countered with a Tombstone Piledriver and immediately followed it with another AA, which finally did the trick. Cena pinned Styles for the win in the final matchup.
Analysis: What. A. Match.
Cena and Styles delivered so many classics years ago, and in their final meeting, put up a performance for the ages. It was incredible to watch these two legends turn back the clock and deliver an instant five-star classic. There were so many homages to wrestling’s greats and both stars executed those moves beautifully. It was captivating to watch and had everyone on the edge of their seats. It was a reminder of how beautiful wrestling can be.
Given how close we are to the end of the farewell tour, it only made sense for Cena to get the win following the mess at Wrestlepalooza. Now the retirement tour is back on track, but if Crown Jewel showed anything, it’s that Cena definitely still has it, and it’s going to only hurt more to see him go. It also made everyone appreciate Styles as he will retire by the end of 2026. Bravo to these two legends for leaving everything on the line in one of the best matches of the year.
Watch: John Cena makes final entrance in Australia
Only a few more signature Cena entrances left.
Cena also has ring announcer Alicia Taylor give a special introduction for Styles.
WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship match: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Tiffany Stratton
Two young stars but two very contrasting styles were clashing right out of the gate, with Vaquer’s technical skill forcing Stratton to quickly adapt so she wouldn’t fall behind so soon. Stratton got some moves in but there wasn’t much for her to build off thanks to Vaquer’s quick thinking to halt any attack. The best combination came when Stratton used a cartwheel to execute an Alabama Slam on her opponent.
Both stars were trying to prepare their signature moves on each other, only for the opponent to counter it into something else. Finally, Vaquer executed the Devil’s Kiss to get some real momentum, with a nice tribute to Eddie Guerrero. The pin attempt was unsuccessful.
Stratton saw a window for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Vaquer got out of the way in time. She saw Stratton down and Vaquer climbed up for the Corkscrew Dive. It landed and Vaquer got the pin to become the Women’s Crown Jewel Champion.
Afterward, WWE chief content officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque presented Vaquer with her ring and title.
Analysis: ‘La Primera’ is on top of the women’s division. What a dominant performance by Vaquer in this one as it just felt like she was completely ahead of Stratton in this one. The WWE Women’s Champion was playing catch up for much of the match and trying to hang with Vaquer, only proving how good of a wrestler she is.
It’s hard to find another meteoric rise like Vaquer. She has completely ascended to the top of the company, but she has proven she deserves it in every massive milestone. There’s no telling if someone will be able to stop it, and with how dominant Vaquer was against Stratton, she is miles ahead of the rest of the women’s division.
Australian street fight: Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
Following a tense stare down, Reigns quickly went to work with jabs to Reed as he had the crowd in his favor. Reigns threw Reed over the barricade as he continued a heavy offensive attack while maneuvering through the crowd. He also had some fun, throwing a rugby ball at Paul Heyman and using a cricket bat to hit Reed. Soon after, a kendo stick assault took place, and Reigns used the time to get the crowd to acknowledge their Tribal Chief. They did, but that’s when Reed was finally able to get on offense.
Reigns didn’t stay down for long, countering Reed’s attack with a Samoan drop onto a steel chair. He felt a finish coming with all the momentum in his favor, and he readied the Superman punch, only for Reed to turn it back toward his end.
It was becoming difficult for Reed to get a real attack in because of how well Reigns was recovering, and it took Bron Breakker’s emergence from the crowd to really punish Reigns. Breakker speared Reigns outside of the ring, and The Vision partners sent the opponent through the announcer’s table. The advantage didn’t last very long when The Usos came out to help their cousin.
The Vision turned their attention to The Usos in an attempt to wipe out any advantage, including a running spear by Breakker outside of ring to Jimmy Uso to put him through the barricade. Reed watched it unfold and then wanted a Tsunami, and despite a brief fall, he was able to set Reigns up to get an accidental spear from Jey Uso. The ‘Yeet’ man was stunned and then quickly speared by Breakker.
The advantage fell back to The Vision, and with Reigns down, Reed climbed up and executed the powerful Tsunami on Reigns, and it put him away as Reed pinned him for the win.
Afterward, Reigns scolded his family for trying to help, and he left them in the ring while the brothers argued.
Analysis: What a stunner. Reigns has only been pinned by Cody Rhodes in singles competition in the past few years, and to see Reed snatch victory is a monumental achievement not just for The Vision, but for his career.
It was an Australian street fight but there wasn’t too much carnage one could expect in this. Just a few spots outside of the ring, and everyone could have guessed Breakker and The Usos would appear in this one. Yet how the match unfolded was quite entertaining and a solid start to the night.
When is WWE Crown Jewel 2025?
Crown Jewel 2025 takes place Saturday, Oct. 11.
WWE Crown Jewel start time 2025
Crown Jewel begins at 8 a.m. ET. The preshow begins at 6 a.m. ET.
Where is WWE Crown Jewel 2025?
The event will be held at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
How to watch WWE Crown Jewel 2025
WWE Crown Jewel will stream on ESPN’s streaming service. Viewers can sign up for a subscription to the site here. Subscriptions start at $29.99 a month.
ESPN’s streaming service is available through select cable and TV packages, including:
- DIRECTV
- Fubo TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- Spectrum
- Verizon FiOS
If your cable or TV package includes ESPN, steps to activate it can be found here. The event will also be shown at select movie theaters nationwide.
Internationally, Crown Jewel 2025 will be available on Netflix in most markets.
Stream Crown Jewel on ESPN
WWE Crown Jewel 2025 preshow: how to watch
The Crown Jewel preshow will be available to watch on ESPN and WWE’s social platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
WWE Crown Jewel 2025 match card
Matches not in order
- John Cena vs. AJ Styles
- Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)
- Australian street fight: Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
- WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship match: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Tiffany Stratton
- WWE Crown Jewel Championship match: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins
Crown Jewel predictions
USA TODAY Sports’ wrestling writers predict what will unfold at Wrestlepalooza. See the full predictions for the entire event here.
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
- Jordan Mendoza: John Cena
- Richard Morin: John Cena
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)
- Jordan Mendoza: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky
- Richard Morin: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky
Australian street fight: Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
- Jordan Mendoza: Roman Reigns
- Richard Morin: Roman Reigns
WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship match: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Tiffany Stratton
- Jordan Mendoza: Stephanie Vaquer
- Richard Morin: Stephanie Vaquer
WWE Crown Jewel Championship match: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins
- Jordan Mendoza: Seth Rollins
- Richard Morin: Seth Rollins
Crown Jewel championship
In 2024, WWE introduced the Crown Jewel Championship, which is awarded to the winner of the respective men’s and women’s champion vs. champion match as a “best of the best” prize.
The winners of the men’s and women’s match are presented with a championship title a ring, similar to a Super Bowl ring, to mark the achievement.
In the inaugural edition, Cody Rhodes won the men’s Crown Jewel Championship and Liv Morgan won the women’s.
How many dates does John Cena have left?
Crown Jewel 2025 will mark Cena’s 32nd appearance of 2025, and with 36 promised in his final year of wrestling, there are only four shows left for Cena after the show. His career will culminate with Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13.
His next appearance won’t be until Nov. 10 for Raw in his home state of Massachusetts. Here are the rest of the dates of his final run:
- Nov. 10: Raw (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Nov. 17: Raw (New York City, New York
- Nov. 29: Survivor Series (San Diego, California)
- Dec. 13: Retirement Match at Saturday’s Night Main Event (Washington, D.C.)