Styles’ Career vs. Gunther– AJ’s Phenomenal Mistake?
The Phenomenal Farewell? AJ Styles Bets It All Against The Ring General
We just got hit with a bombshell on WWE Raw: AJ Styles is putting his entire in-ring career on the line against the unstoppable Gunther at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh.
The official announcement poster (dropped by WWE) says it all — two legends staring each other down in that intense gold glow, with the stakes higher than ever. This isn’t just another match. It’s potentially the end for one of the most respected performers in wrestling history.
Why This Feels So Raw After Cena
John Cena’s retirement tour wrapped up in late 2025, and Gunther was the one who “ended” him in that brutal final chapter. Now, just weeks/months later (depending on how you count the timeline), we’re getting another veteran risking everything against the same “Career Killer.”
Fans are split:
Is this poetic storytelling? AJ started his WWE run strong at the Royal Rumble a decade ago — full circle.
Or is it rushed? Doing this right after Cena’s emotional exit feels like WWE is burning through legends too fast. Gunther’s on a tear, but does he need to retire AJ at the Rumble?
I don’t see Gunther losing here. The guy’s built as a dominant force — he choked out legends before. If AJ drops this one, it could be clean, definitive, and heartbreaking.
The TNA Angle – A Perfect Send-Off?
If AJ does lose (and retire), imagine the story: The Phenomenal One heads back to TNA (where he was the face of the company for years) for one last run or a farewell match. With WWE-TNA ties stronger than ever, it sounds poetic — AJ closes his full-time career where he became a household name.
But at the Royal Rumble? The biggest stage? It could be epic… or feel like a misstep if it overshadows the Rumble matches themselves.
