John Cena and AJ Kinds dug deep into their pasts at WWE Crown Jewel. Their match, a excessive level of the present, noticed them use signature strikes from previous rivals, together with Samoa Joe, somebody who has a wealthy historical past with each superstars.
At Crown Jewel, Kinds snatched a Coquina Clutch, Joe’s longtime rear-naked choke submission transfer. It was a nod from Kinds to his legendary TNA rival, one in all many devoted to skilled wrestlers who had been cornerstones for the corporate’s Spike TV period.
“It is extremely cool,” Joe instructed CBS Sports activities earlier than difficult “Hangman” Adam Web page for the AEW world championship at Saturday’s WrestleDream pay-per-view. “Each these males are folks I’ve unyielding respect for. I am so joyful to see they’ve loved the successes they’ve had of their life. It was great to be considered of their massive second.”
Joe additionally has a deeply private connection to Cena, regardless of by no means wrestling one another on WWE tv. They began wrestling across the similar time, coaching and performing within the now-defunct California-based Final Professional Wrestling (UPW) promotion. Joe recounted how Cena and Frankie Kazarian as soon as cleaned out his father’s fridge, every consuming six kilos of rooster breasts in an impromptu consuming problem.
Cena vs. Kinds, their fifth and last encounter, was a memorable cease on Cena’s ongoing retirement tour. The 17-time world champion will retire at WWE Saturday Evening’s Essential Occasion on Dec. 13. Kinds not too long ago confirmed that he’d retire from in-ring competitors subsequent yr. Whereas Joe, who confirmed he’d probably retire every time his present AEW deal expires, sympathizes with followers who’re unhappy to see the legends go, he is joyful that his longtime mates are winding down.
“AJ is among the few wrestlers who modified the face of wrestling. He is positively the prototype of a perfect wrestler and expanded that class,” Joe stated. “Very like John, each had improbable careers. I do know for a lot of followers it is unhappy to see them go, and I can clearly see why. They have been such a giant a part of the business for thus lengthy.
“For me, it’s kind of of a distinct perspective. I am tremendous joyful for them each. These are each males who’ve achieved on this business. They actually have careers they will chill their toes and take a look at with large delight and satisfaction. I am at all times joyful to see folks enter that section of their life in a wholesome method with nice future prospects of different issues on the horizon.”