As previously reported, WWE has announced that AJ Styles will face GUNTHER in a singles match at this weekend's 2026 Royal Rumble premium live event (PLE), with Styles' career on the line. This announcement has raised eyebrows since many expected Styles to win the match and embark on a farewell tour similar to John Cena's this year before retiring from WWE, as 2026 is expected to be Styles' final year, and it's still January. Meanwhile, GUNTHER is coming off a significant victory over Cena in his retirement match.
A social media post from Shinsuke Nakamura, which he deleted almost immediately, indicated that Styles plans to retire after the Royal Rumble, making his intentions clearer.
According to PWInsider.com, Styles’ contract is set to expire before WrestleMania this April, and there are currently no plans for him to be involved in the event known as the Show of Shows. Dave Meltzer has reported that Nakamura was informed Styles would retire after the Royal Rumble and that there are no plans for GUNTHER to lose in Saudi Arabia.
Meltzer added that plans may still change, as Styles’ retirement has been known within WWE for months. While the Rumble has always been a possibility for his departure, there is no confirmation yet on whether it will actually happen this Saturday.
