One of the greatest careers in professional wrestling may be nearing its final chapter. AJ Styles, widely respected as “The Phenomenal One,” is set to face Gunther at the Royal Rumble on Saturday, January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. But there’s a twist — if Styles loses, he’ll be forced to retire from in-ring competition, making this possibly the end of an era.
AJ Styles vs. Gunther: A high-stakes showdown
The upcoming match between AJ Styles and Gunther isn’t just another Royal Rumble bout — it could decide the future of a legendary wrestler. If Styles loses, he’ll be the latest victim of Gunther, who is now being called WWE’s “Career Killer” for ending the careers of top names and Hall of Famers.
With everything on the line, fans are eagerly waiting to see if Styles can overcome the powerful Intercontinental Champion or if his in-ring journey ends in Riyadh.
One last match with Nakamura
Just before the Royal Rumble, Styles took on longtime rival Shinsuke Nakamura at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Montreal. Styles walked away with the win after delivering his signature Styles Clash, possibly for the last time against his New Japan Pro-Wrestling counterpart.
After the match, Nakamura shared a deeply personal message on Instagram (which was later deleted), suggesting that AJ may have already made up his mind about retirement — and that he had planned this farewell for quite some time.
According to Nakamura, during a tour in Australia last year, Styles gave a speech that felt like a quiet goodbye. Then during the Japan leg of the tour, Nakamura asked him, “When are you going to retire?” Styles replied, “The Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.”
Is this really the end for AJ Styles?
While Nakamura’s deleted post has caused quite a stir among fans, there’s still a chance that AJ Styles may change his mind. After all, in the world of wrestling, plans can shift at any time. Styles himself had earlier said that 2026 would be his final year, so some fans believed they would still get to see him compete at least until WrestleMania 42 in April.
Now, with his Royal Rumble match just days away, fans are left wondering: was the plan always to retire early? Or was it just a passing thought during a challenging time?
Styles to appear on WWE Raw before Royal Rumble
Before the big match, AJ Styles is set to appear on WWE Raw in Toronto. It could be his final promo on Raw — the company’s flagship show where Styles has delivered some of his most iconic moments.
He’s expected to address Gunther and the WWE Universe, possibly offering clarity on what’s really going on in his mind. Will he give a heartfelt farewell speech? Or fire up fans with one last statement of confidence?
What AJ Styles has achieved in WWE
AJ Styles joined WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble and has spent nearly a decade building a legacy that fans won’t forget. Some of his key achievements include:
- 2-time WWE Champion
- 3-time United States Champion
- 1-time Intercontinental Champion
- Multiple-time Tag Team Champion
- Royal Rumble standout and WrestleMania main-eventer
Before his WWE debut, Styles had already made a name for himself globally — especially in TNA/Impact Wrestling and NJPW — but his WWE run truly cemented his place among the all-time greats.
What’s next — retirement or one last run?
All eyes are now on the Royal Rumble. If AJ Styles loses to Gunther, fans may witness his final match in a WWE ring. But if he pulls off a win, there’s a chance we might see one last road to WrestleMania.
No matter what happens, AJ Styles’ career will go down as one of the most respected and celebrated in modern wrestling history. If this is truly the end, The Phenomenal One will leave behind a legacy that few can match — and fans will remember his final run as emotional, intense, and unforgettable.
