Triple H Reacts to Fan Backlash Over GUNTHER Retiring John Cena and What’s at Stake with AJ Styles

Triple H has spoken out about the fan backlash surrounding GUNTHER’s rise—and the controversy over John Cena’s final match—as The Ring General heads into a career-threatening showdown with AJ Styles at the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble in Riyadh.

During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, Triple H addressed GUNTHER’s streak of high-profile retirements, which now includes Goldberg and John Cena, and previewed what could be AJ Styles’ last match ever.

“John Cena retiring at the hands of GUNTHER, and not only retiring but GUNTHER made him do the one thing that John said he would never do—which is he made him quit, he made him tap out.”

That moment drew plenty of heat from longtime Cena fans, and Triple H acknowledged the reaction wasn’t exactly warm. The fallout from that finish didn’t sit well with AJ Styles either, who saw it as blatant disrespect. In response, Styles raised the stakes himself, putting everything on the line at this year’s Royal Rumble.

“A lot of people took that badly. GUNTHER’s been bragging about it.”

“AJ Styles took that as disrespect, and Styles put his own career on the line if he cannot beat GUNTHER this Saturday at the Royal Rumble.”

Triple H made it clear: the moment is massive. One of WWE’s most decorated careers could be over.

“So the stakes could not be bigger—AJ Styles’ legendary career on the line. If he loses, that’s it.”

As for what fans can expect beyond the high-stakes main event, Triple H teased “a lot of surprises” for Saturday’s Royal Rumble in Riyadh. With GUNTHER already responsible for ending the careers of two icons in less than a year, all eyes are now on whether AJ Styles will be the next legend to fall.

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