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John Cena Reveals Original WWE Plans for SummerSlam 2021 and Crown Jewel
The wrestling legend discusses the last-minute changes to major pay-per-view events.
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
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In a recent podcast interview, WWE superstar John Cena revealed the original creative plans for SummerSlam 2021 and last year's Crown Jewel event. Cena said he was supposed to win his 17th World Championship at SummerSlam 2021, but the finish was changed at the last minute to have Brock Lesnar return and defeat Roman Reigns. As for Crown Jewel, Cena was initially scheduled to face Drew McIntyre, but the match was changed to have him wrestle AJ Styles instead, as WWE wanted to give the fans a "feel-good moment".
Why it matters
Cena's revelations provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at the fluid and unpredictable nature of WWE creative plans, even for major pay-per-view events. It highlights how last-minute changes are common in the wrestling industry, as companies adapt to unexpected circumstances and try to deliver the most compelling storylines for their fans.
The details
According to Cena, the original plan for SummerSlam 2021 was for him to win his 17th World Championship, only to have the match restarted and Roman Reigns ultimately retain the title. However, WWE was able to secure Brock Lesnar's return at the last minute, leading to a change in the finish. As for Crown Jewel, Cena was initially set to face Drew McIntyre, but the match was changed to have him wrestle AJ Styles instead, as WWE wanted to provide a "feel-good moment" for the fans.
- SummerSlam 2021 took place on August 21, 2021.
- WWE Crown Jewel 2022 was held on November 5, 2022.
The players
John Cena
A legendary WWE superstar and 16-time world champion.
Brock Lesnar
A former UFC champion and one of the biggest stars in WWE history.
Roman Reigns
The current WWE Universal Champion and one of the company's top stars.
Drew McIntyre
A former WWE Champion and one of the company's top babyface stars.
AJ Styles
A former WWE Champion and one of the most decorated wrestlers in the company's history.
What they’re saying
“That night was supposed to go very different. In the last moment, we had a surprise guest booked and he came out after the match was over. Brock. They didn't they didn't secure Brock until 5:00 PM that day. I was going to win 17. We were going to have someone come out and restart the match and Roman was going to take it back.”
— John Cena (WrestlePurists)
“AJ was supposed to be Drew but it pivoted. We wanted to give them a feel-good moment because they were listening to the data points. They listen to you guys, they do. It's real.”
— John Cena (F4WOnline)
What’s next
Cena's revelations provide a unique glimpse into the inner workings of WWE's creative process, and fans will likely continue to speculate about how these last-minute changes impacted the overall storylines and outcomes of these major events.
The takeaway
Cena's candid comments underscore the fluid and unpredictable nature of WWE's creative decision-making, where even the biggest stars and most anticipated matches can be subject to last-minute changes based on a variety of factors. This flexibility allows the company to adapt to evolving circumstances, but it can also lead to surprises and disappointments for fans expecting a certain outcome.
