As previously reported, WWE has announced that AJ Styles will face GUNTHER in a singles match at the 2026 Royal Rumble premium live event later today. In this match, Styles will be putting his career on the line.
This announcement has surprised many, as fans expected Styles to embark on 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 Cena's retirement match, suggesting that he should not lose at this time. However, recent events, such as Styles battling his longtime rival Shinsuke Nakamura at Saturday Night's Main Event and challenging CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship in an impromptu match on this week's RAW, have left fans increasingly anxious.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, sources backstage are "split" on Styles’ future in WWE. Beyond this, there is no information yet on what the company has planned for The Phenomenal One.
Styles previously announced at last year’s Crown Jewel event that he would retire sometime in 2026. However, he did not disclose an exact date or plans for a retirement tour. With WWE heavily promoting GUNTHER as the “Career Killer,” fans are worried about The Phenomenal One’s chances, especially after Nakamura revealed, in a now-deleted social media post, Styles' plans to retire at the Royal Rumble.
