As previously reported, WWE announced that AJ Styles will face GUNTHER in a singles match at the upcoming 2026 Royal Rumble premium live event (PLE), with Styles' career on the line. This announcement has raised eyebrows, as many expected Styles to have a farewell tour similar to John Cena's this year before retiring from WWE. Meanwhile, GUNTHER is coming off a significant victory over Cena in his retirement match, which suggests that he shouldn’t lose right now.
Dave Meltzer noted in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that one possible option for WWE is to have Styles defeat GUNTHER to preserve his career, while GUNTHER could still win the Royal Rumble to end the night on a strong note. Meltzer emphasized that a straightforward loss for Styles without some redemption at the end of the show makes little sense. He believes a Rumble victory could restore GUNTHER's stature heading into WrestleMania season. Meltzer also mentioned that people backstage are aware of the possibility that this could be Styles’ final match in WWE.
The match at the Royal Rumble PLE will be one of the latest high-profile bouts for Styles, who is a former WWE RAW Tag Team Champion, Intercontinental Champion, and WWE Champion, and is considered one of the best in-ring wrestlers in history. He is well-known for his signature moves, the Styles Clash and Phenomenal Forearm. Styles previously failed to win the Undisputed WWE Title from Cody Rhodes at WWE Backlash France in 2024.
