Steve Carrier on January 24, 2026
AJ Styles’ WWE career is officially on the line at the 2026 Royal Rumble, and the stakes couldn’t be more serious. WWE has confirmed that Styles will face GUNTHER in a high-profile singles match, with the stipulation that a loss would end Styles’ in-ring career.
This development caught fans off guard, as many expected Styles to receive a more traditional sendoff—a farewell run across multiple events, much like John Cena’s recent retirement tour. Instead, WWE is heading straight into a career-threatening clash with no buildup beyond the match itself.
Complicating things further is GUNTHER’s status. He just defeated Cena in what was promoted as Cena’s final match, making it unlikely WWE would turn around and hand him a clean loss only weeks later. Still, having Styles lose outright could be equally problematic given his legacy and fan base.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE might be exploring a solution that keeps both men strong. One potential creative direction would see Styles defeat GUNTHER earlier in the night to save his career, followed by GUNTHER entering—and winning—the Royal Rumble match to close out the show.
That kind of booking would allow Styles to remain active while immediately restoring GUNTHER’s momentum heading into WrestleMania season. Meltzer noted that simply having Styles lose without any redemption doesn’t seem logical, especially for someone with his track record.
There’s real awareness backstage that this could end up being AJ Styles’ final WWE match if plans don’t evolve. That adds extra gravity to what’s already one of the most talked-about matchups heading into the Rumble.
Before that showdown, Styles is set to face Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in Montreal, a matchup that could hint at what’s to come.
How do you think WWE should handle this? Should Styles win, lose, or retire on his own terms? Jump in the comments and let us know your take.
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