AJ Styles Faces Uncertain WWE Future After Emotional Royal Rumble Loss

AJ Styles, the "Phenomenal One," faced perhaps the most defining moment of his storied career at the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On January 31, in front of a raucous crowd at Riyadh Season Arena, Styles squared off against Gunther in a high-stakes retirement match—a bout that would determine the fate of one of wrestling’s most celebrated veterans. The stipulation was clear: if Styles lost, his WWE in-ring career would be over.

As the bell rang, anticipation hung heavy in the air. The crowd, well aware of the implications, rallied behind Styles from the outset. Gunther, known as the "Ring General," wasted no time asserting his size and power advantage. Early on, he unleashed brutal chops and even delivered a punishing back suplex onto the commentary desk, leaving Styles with a bloody gash on his left arm. Yet, Styles, ever the resilient competitor, refused to back down, showcasing the grit that made him a two-time WWE Champion and Grand Slam winner.

Throughout the contest, Styles found opportunities to turn the tide. He targeted Gunther’s legs, locking in his signature Calf Crusher submission not once, but twice. The second time, Gunther had to desperately drag himself to the ropes to break free—a testament to Styles’ technical prowess and determination. The crowd sensed a possible miracle as Styles countered a powerbomb into a perfectly executed Styles Clash, but Gunther managed to kick out at the last moment, keeping the match—and Styles’ career—alive.

But Gunther, who has made a habit of retiring legends over the past year, wasn’t to be denied. In a moment of desperation, he used a referee distraction to deliver a low blow followed by a thunderous powerbomb. Styles, battered but unbroken, kicked out yet again. The "Ring General" responded with a barrage of chops and lariats, taunting Styles and daring him to rise. The endgame arrived as Styles attempted his trademark Phenomenal Forearm. Gunther caught him mid-air, transitioned seamlessly into a sleeper hold, and applied a crushing body scissor. Styles fought valiantly, driving elbows into Gunther’s thigh, but as the seconds ticked by, his resistance faded. The referee checked his arm, found him unresponsive, and called for the bell.

The arena erupted into a standing ovation. The Riyadh crowd, sensing the magnitude of the moment, broke into booming "Thank You Styles" chants as the battered veteran slowly regained his bearings. Styles stood in the center of the ring, visibly emotional. He removed his iconic gloves, a symbolic gesture often reserved for retirement, and seemed poised to leave them behind. Yet, after a moment’s hesitation—and with the crowd urging him on—he put the gloves back on, raised his arms in his signature "P1" hand signal, and walked out to his music, fighting back tears.

This ambiguous gesture has left the wrestling world buzzing. Was this truly the end of AJ Styles in WWE, or merely the closing of one chapter? The aftermath has been as dramatic as the match itself. WWE insiders report that the company is divided on Styles’ future. According to WrestleVotes, "WWE is not sure about what AJ Styles’ retirement would be like." There’s speculation that this could be part of a larger storyline, or perhaps a prelude to Styles continuing his career elsewhere—maybe even in TNA, where he was once a cornerstone, or in Japan, where he spent some of his most formative years.

The uncertainty is compounded by the expiration of Styles’ contract with WWE at the Royal Rumble. Styles himself had previously stated that 2026 would be his final year with the company, and that he didn’t plan to wrestle into his 50s. Yet, rumors persist that he might spend another year or two wrestling in Japan before hanging up his boots for good. Shinsuke Nakamura, a longtime rival and friend, fueled speculation with an emotional social media goodbye—though the post was quickly deleted, adding to the intrigue.

For Gunther, Saturday’s result cements his reputation as a modern-day "legend killer." In the span of just six months, he’s ended the WWE careers of Goldberg, John Cena, and now AJ Styles—all via his devastating sleeper hold. With his victory over Styles, Gunther improved to a staggering 34-0 in non-title matches, further solidifying his place among the elite in WWE’s current landscape. His rise has been nothing short of meteoric, and his penchant for high-profile retirements has made him one of the most talked-about figures in sports entertainment.

The rivalry between Styles and Gunther was itself the product of high drama. It began after Gunther mocked John Cena’s retirement on December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII. That jab led to a heated contest between the two on the January 12 edition of Monday Night Raw, where Gunther bested Styles under controversial circumstances. Styles, furious with the result, demanded a rematch. Gunther agreed—on the condition that Styles put his career on the line. "AJ, if you lose the rematch with me at the Royal Rumble, I want you to put your career on the line," Gunther declared. Styles, never one to back down from a challenge, accepted.

Looking back, Styles’ WWE career has been nothing short of phenomenal. He debuted at the 2016 Royal Rumble to a thunderous ovation, lasting nearly 29 minutes before being eliminated by Kevin Owens. That same year, he captured the WWE Championship by defeating Dean Ambrose at Backlash. Over a decade, Styles collected two WWE Championships, three United States Championships, one Intercontinental title, and two Tag Team titles—becoming the 32nd man to complete WWE’s Grand Slam. His influence on the industry is undeniable, with many considering him a future WWE Hall of Famer.

Despite the apparent finality of Saturday’s match, the door remains ajar for Styles. Fans, colleagues, and insiders alike are left to wonder: Is this truly goodbye, or just the beginning of a new journey for one of wrestling’s greatest performers? For now, the legacy of AJ Styles remains intact—etched in the annals of WWE history, but perhaps not yet complete.

As the dust settles in Riyadh, Gunther’s legend grows, and the world waits with bated breath to see what’s next for the "Phenomenal One." Whether Styles’ gloves stay on or come off for good, his impact on professional wrestling will be felt for generations.