A significant spoiler has emerged regarding the upcoming AJ Styles vs. Gunther match at the Royal Rumble 2026, where Styles will put his wrestling career on the line. On the January 19 episode of RAW, Gunther declared that he would only wrestle AJ Styles again if Styles risked his career, a challenge Styles accepted later in the same show. The match is set for January 31st at the Royal Rumble, with Styles’ wrestling future hanging in the balance should he be defeated.
Amidst mounting speculation about AJ Styles’ retirement, fellow WWE superstar Shinsuke Nakamura might have shed light on the wrestler’s intentions. Prior to their match during the WWE main event special on January 24th, Nakamura shared a diary entry on his Instagram Story revealing a conversation with Styles during WWE’s Japan tour in October 2025. In the entry, Nakamura recounts how Styles confided in him that he plans to retire at the Royal Rumble.
Nakamura reflected on Styles’ farewell hints, recalling a post-match speech Styles gave during a Melbourne house show last year. He said, “Listening to it, it was clear he was thanking the fans, and it felt like retirement was approaching.” During their time in Japan, Nakamura asked Styles directly about his retirement plans while they were en route to a handshake event. Styles replied, “Royal Rumble, I’ve already decided.”
Nakamura described the moment as memorable, stating he wasn’t sure if Styles voiced it aloud or just thought it, but was clear in his mind that Styles intended to wrestle one final match before retiring. He also reflected on his own career, including his first singles match at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in 2016, as he looked back on their journey within WWE.
For continuing coverage on AJ Styles and updates ahead of the Royal Rumble, fans can follow the latest news links provided.
Fan Take:
This revelation adds a deeply emotional and high-stakes layer to the AJ Styles vs. Gunther match, making it more than just a fight for victory—it’s a battle for legacy. For WWE fans, this could mark the end of an era and a monumental moment in wrestling history, potentially reshaping the roster and opening doors for new stars.
