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In professional wrestling, there’s one inevitable truth: time never loses. Even the strongest and most popular wrestlers eventually face defeat and retirement. AJ Styles, often hailed as “The Phenomenal One,” has been one of WWE’s standout performers in recent years, continuously proving his skill and dedication as he approaches the twilight of his career.
Styles has openly discussed the possibility of retiring soon, mentioning in 2024 that the finish line is approaching and that leaving his family is his main motivation to step away from wrestling. Although he signed a one-year contract extension with WWE earlier this year, many fans speculated he might join AEW, but it now seems likely he will finish his career in WWE, especially since he’s been a key part of the company since 2019.
This raises the question: which WWE stars should AJ Styles face before he retires? Beyond WWE, there are other names who would be perfect opponents for Styles’ final run, including notable talents like Will Ospreay, Samoa Joe, and TNA X-Division champion Leon Slater, whom Styles personally celebrated at the Slammiversary pay-per-view.
Now, let’s take a journey to Gainesville, Georgia, the hometown of one of wrestling’s all-time greats, and examine five WWE stars who should have a one-on-one match with AJ Styles before he bids farewell to the ring.
CM Punk
Starting with “Second City Saint,” a match between AJ Styles and CM Punk feels inevitable. They had a complicated past, with Styles once among those who had issues with Punk. However, after Punk’s return to WWE in 2023, Styles admitted he respects Punk and would like to have a match with him again. Their history dating back to Ring of Honor and IWA Mid-South promises an exciting contest whenever it happens.
Roman Reigns
AJ Styles made his WWE debut in 2016, and right away, he crossed paths with Roman Reigns, who was then in his "Big Dog" phase. Though they have faced off in various situations over the years, Styles has never had a true one-on-one program with Reigns, the fan-favorite “Tribal Chief.” This is a must-have encounter in AJ’s retirement run to showcase two of WWE’s top legends.
Jevon Evans
Jevon Evans might not be a household name yet, but he’s an exciting up-and-comer who shares a style similar to AJ’s, especially reminiscent of Styles’ prime in the TNA X-Division. Evans’ inventive moves and dynamic in-ring presence make him a fitting opponent for Styles, especially as a symbolic passing of the torch from one generation to the next.
Motor City Machine Guns
Currently in WWE, the reunion of AJ Styles with the Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) would be a dream for fans. Having faced each other multiple times during their TNA days, a match or tag team storyline involving these legends would provide a nostalgic and thrilling finish to Styles’ career.
Gunther
Known as “The Ring General,” Gunther is rapidly establishing himself as one of WWE’s most dominant forces. Though Styles and Gunther have wrestled at WWE house shows, they have yet to face off in a major televised match. Gunther could be AJ’s final opponent, symbolizing the passing of the torch from one wrestling era to the next, making this matchup critical for Styles’ retirement legacy.
Fan Take:
This lineup of potential opponents highlights not just AJ Styles’ incredible career but the evolution of WWE itself. For fans, these matches represent a chance to witness epic showdowns that honor wrestling history while propelling the future of the sport forward.
