The wrestling world said goodbye to one of its all-time greats at WWE Royal Rumble 2026, as AJ Styles was forced to retire after falling to Gunther in a high-stakes match. The emotional moment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marked the end of a legendary WWE career—though possibly not the end of AJ Styles inside a wrestling ring.
AJ Styles Retires After Loss to Gunther
The stipulation was simple but brutal: if AJ Styles lost, he had to retire from WWE. In the end, it was Gunther’s devastating sleeper hold—the same move that ended the careers of Goldberg and John Cena—that brought Styles’ journey to a close. But unlike the others, Styles didn’t tap out. He fought until he passed out, reaching for the bottom rope in one last act of defiance.
It was a fitting final stand for someone who built his entire career on heart, resilience, and world-class wrestling ability.
John Cena Pays Tribute to AJ Styles
Following Styles’ retirement, tributes flooded social media from fans, wrestlers, and legends. But one message stood out—John Cena’s.
Cena, one of AJ’s greatest in-ring rivals, took to X (formerly Twitter) to say:
“Phenomenal is an understatement. Respect is earned and few are more worthy of universal industry wide respect than AJ Styles. Thank you for all you’ve done for wrestling. From anyone who’s seen you and those lucky enough to share canvas with you.”
The two shared unforgettable matches:
- Money in the Bank 2016 – Styles won
- SummerSlam 2016 – Styles won again
- Royal Rumble 2017 – Cena claimed victory and the WWE title
- Crown Jewel: Australia – Cena won their final WWE bout
Their rivalry helped solidify Styles as a WWE main-eventer after dominating in TNA, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and around the world.
The End… or Just the End in WWE?
After the match, Styles made a symbolic move—he started to remove his gloves, a traditional gesture in wrestling retirement. But then he put them back on and posed for the crowd in Riyadh. That small action sparked speculation: Is this just a WWE retirement?
Styles has never hidden his love for pro wrestling as an art form. While his WWE chapter may be closed, fans are now wondering if we’ll see him compete elsewhere—possibly in Japan or on the independent scene.
A Career to Remember
AJ Styles’ WWE journey was filled with highlights:
- 2x WWE Champion
- 3x United States Champion
- Intercontinental Champion
- Multiple WrestleMania appearances
- Legendary feuds with John Cena, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins
His arrival in WWE in 2016 was long-awaited, and he didn’t disappoint. From his shock Royal Rumble debut to holding the WWE title for nearly a year, Styles proved that he belonged among the best—even after building most of his legacy outside WWE.
Gunther: Career Ender, Legacy Builder
Styles now joins Goldberg and John Cena on the list of legends whose WWE careers were ended by Gunther. “The Ring General” has become not just a dominant force but a career-defining opponent for the industry’s greatest names. His rise continues, and taking down AJ Styles at Royal Rumble adds another iconic moment to his résumé.
