Regardless of the outcome of the Royal Rumble match against Gunter, AJ Styles has announced that 2026 will be his final year in professional wrestling.
Debuting in 1999, Styles has achieved remarkable success across multiple promotions, including being a former three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, two-time TNA World Champion, two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time RevPro British Heavyweight Champion, in addition to numerous secondary and tag team titles.
His move to WWE in 2016 marked the start of another successful chapter in his career, highlighted by his debut at the Royal Rumble.
If his career concludes against Gunter, Styles will retire having completed a grand slam, holding two WWE Championships, three United States Championships, two Tag Team Championships, and one Intercontinental Championship. Moreover, if he eludes that fate, there is potential for more accolades before entering the Hall of Fame.
But what if he hadn’t signed with WWE back in 2016? Here’s an exploration of that alternate reality.
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<h2>AJ Styles vs. Kenny Omega</h2>
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<p>Before his debut at the Royal Rumble, Styles faced off against Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom but came up short.</p>
<p>Following that defeat, Styles teamed up with his protégé, the rising star Kenny Omega, to take on Nakamura and YOSHI-HASHI. After their victory, however, Omega betrayed Styles, leading to a pivotal moment in their storyline.</p>
<p>If Styles hadn’t joined WWE, this narrative could have continued, potentially leading to an exciting match for the vacated Intercontinental Championship in February.</p>
<p>During that time, Omega clinched his first heavyweight title by defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi, but Styles could have emerged as a strong contender for the title in a rivalry match. This could have altered the landscape of the G1 Climax and opened up several new possibilities in the NJPW main event scene.</p>
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<h2>A Different Face for NJPW USA</h2>
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<p>With Omega's and The Elite's rise in popularity, NJPW forged partnerships with ROH and PWG, which facilitated its expansion in the U.S.</p>
<p>During this time, Omega became the first IWGP United States Champion while Cody Rhodes retained the ROH World Title, paving the way for major events like All In in 2018.</p>
<p>Styles’ presence could have brought a fresh dynamic to these changes, particularly in rivalries with Chris Jericho, with whom he shared a history when Styles joined WWE.</p>
<p>Had he remained in NJPW, Styles could have challenged Jericho, potentially transforming the landscape of NJPW's American expansion.</p>
<p>Additionally, if The Elite were expelled from the Bullet Club, the power dynamics in NJPW, along with Styles’ involvement, might have played out very differently.</p>
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<h2>AJ Styles in AEW</h2>
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<p>In rejecting WWE, Omega, The Young Bucks, Rhodes, and “Hangman” Adam Page joined forces with Tony Khan to establish All Elite Wrestling.</p>
<p>Today, AEW stands as a formidable competitor to WWE, with its members making significant impacts within the industry. If Styles had aligned with AEW from the start, he might have shared the spotlight with Jericho and Page at the company's inaugural event, potentially becoming the first AEW World Champion.</p>
<p>Moreover, his past with the X-Division could have led to compelling feuds over the TNT Title and rivalries with talents like Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship.</p>
<p>Endless dream matches exist in this alternate scenario, showcasing Styles' exceptional talent. While he has made a mark in WWE, the "what ifs" regarding his impact in other promotions highlight just how influential he has been to professional wrestling. Regardless, if this is indeed his final chapter, wrestling fans owe him a tremendous thanks.</p>
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</div>Fan Take: The speculation about AJ Styles’ potential journey in wrestling without WWE highlights how pivotal his career choices have been in shaping modern wrestling. For fans, it serves as a reminder of the many paths that could have transformed the sport and sets the stage for future talents to carve their own unique journeys.
