Steve Carrier on February 1, 2026
AJ Styles may have lost his “career match” against Gunther at WWE Royal Rumble, but that didn’t stop Shane McMahon from giving him his flowers—loud and clear.
On Sunday, McMahon took to Instagram to praise his WrestleMania 33 opponent with a heartfelt message that celebrated Styles’ in-ring legacy and influence:
“AJ Styles will go down in history as one of the greatest in ring performers ever! Thank you for your friendship and giving it your absolute best to entertain us all every single time you stepped through the ropes. You set the bar for current and future talent, let’s see if they can reach it. Congratulations on a Phenomenal career.”
McMahon’s tribute came just 24 hours after Styles put everything on the line in a career match against Gunther. Though Styles lost, the post-match moment stirred speculation: instead of leaving his gloves in the ring as is customary for retirements, Styles paused—and then took them with him as he exited the arena.
Styles’ contract status is currently unconfirmed, but the cryptic gesture and McMahon’s “congratulations on a phenomenal career” comment have only added fuel to the fire that his time in WWE may be coming to an end.
Whether this marks a full retirement or just the closing of a WWE chapter, Styles’ legacy as a performer who raised the bar is being solidified by both fans and peers.
Do you think AJ Styles is really done with WWE—or is he teasing something bigger? Could AEW be in his future? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
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