AJ Styles recently ended his in-ring career with WWE at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event after losing a high-stakes match to GUNTHER, where his career was on the line. The Georgia native was dispatched by the man now known as “The Career Killer” after being trapped in a sleeper hold that left him unconscious. Following the match, Styles teased leaving his gloves in the center of the ring to signal his final retirement, but he ultimately put them back on, leaving his future open to potential returns or new ventures. Styles has explained that he chose to keep his options open because everyone in the industry eventually returns, and he has a specific desire to potentially team with his son should his son decide to pursue a professional wrestling career.
AJ Styles Retirement From In-Ring Competition
The match against GUNTHER at the Royal Rumble was a battle that saw both competitors bloodied and exhausted. Styles entered the arena determined to prove he could still perform at the highest level, while GUNTHER brought the same focus that previously ended the careers of Goldberg and John Cena. The “Ring General” dominated the early portions of the contest, using strikes and submissions to wear down the former WWE Champion. The victory solidified GUNTHER’s status as a dominant force in the TKO Group Holdings era and left WWE fans wondering what the next chapter would be for Styles.
Swerve Strickland Reacts To AJ Styles Retirement
Speaking at Monopoly Events, former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland was asked if he was after a match against the retired legend. Strickland responded by noting that he has reached a point in his career where he believes he is the type of performer that AJ Styles would want to test himself against. He expressed pride for Styles’ legacy and credited him with influencing an entire generation of modern wrestlers. Strickland compared studying Styles to watching other greats like Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness during their prime years in the business.
“At this point, I think I’m becoming something that AJ Styles wants to compete against, instead. I’m pushing myself to be at the top of this game. I’m not chasing after anybody’s matches. I want those matches to chase after me. Happy for AJ, proud of AJ. He’s someone I would study endlessly, alongside Bryan Danielson and that era. Nigel (McGuinness), I looked up to those guys and watched those guys. AJ has earned more than enough in his career to walk away from it or continue on and do something different and unique with the generation of guys he has curated and spawned. His influence spawned an AEW style. (Will) Ospreay, Seth Rollins, myself, Mike Bailey, we’ve all watched and studied AJ. If he wants to take a chance to come to AEW, which he is more than capable and in great shape mentally, hopefully, and physically, from what I view, to compete with All Elite Wrestling. We’re all here, open and waiting if he decides to make that jump,” Strickland said.
WWE RAW Tribute To AJ Styles
While rumors of a jump to All Elite Wrestling continue to circulate among the AEW fans, Styles remains under the spotlight of the Stamford-based promotion. Tonight’s episode of WWE Raw from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, will feature a tribute to the career of the “Face that Runs the Place”. The broadcast, which streams live on Netflix, is expected to feature a look back at the moments of his decade-long tenure with the company.
There is speculation that Styles might appear in front of his home-state crowd to address his post-retirement plans and clarify whether the Royal Rumble was indeed his final curtain call. Reports from PWInsider.com have indicated that WWE attempted to sign Styles to a contract extension prior to the January event, but the two sides were reportedly unable to agree on terms at that time.
Tonight’s episode of Monday Night RAW will be a busy broadcast as the company moves toward the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event this Saturday in Chicago. In addition to the Styles tribute, the show will feature the return of Brock Lesnar, who has been absent from programming for several months. 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan is also expected to make her final decision regarding which champion she will face at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. The card also includes two Triple Threat qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber. Bronson Reed will face Jey Uso and “The Original” El Grande Americano on the men’s side, while Raquel Rodriguez, IYO SKY, and Kairi Sane will battle for the final spot in the women’s structure.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Monopoly Events with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can watch more celebrity and wrestling interviews on the Monopoly Events YouTube channel.
