AJ Styles to retire from WWE? Fresh update on his wrestling future emerges after his Royal Rumble 2026 defeat against Gunther; watch video here

AJ Styles vs Gunther Royal Rumble 2026: AJ Styles lost to Gunther at the Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday (January 31, 2026). The annual wrestling event was held at Riyadh Season Arena on Saturday (January 31, 2026). The clash against Gunther was probably Styles's last at the Royal Rumble.

Is AJ Styles going to retire?

Following the loss against Gunther, who also ended the WWE careers of Goldberg and John Cena, rumors claiming the 48-year-old’s retirement gained momentum.


Gunther locked in the sleeper on Styles to finish the match. Amid the buzz around Styles' retirement, a new update has surfaced suggesting that WWE is 'not sure' if Styles is going away for good. "WWE is not sure about what AJ Styles’ retirement would be like," multiple news platforms reported, citing WrestleVotes.

Amid the buzz, there is also speculation doing rounds suggesting that this could be part of a larger storyline, or perhaps a prelude to Styles continuing his career elsewhere. It could be TNA, or in Japan, according to the Grand Pinnacle Tribune.

Will 2026 be AJ Styles’ last year?

Styles had confirmed that 2026 will be his last year in the WWE. His contract with the Stamford-based production company will expire at the Rumble, The Business Standard reported, citing reports. There are, however, no updates regarding his future plans, and neither WWE nor Styles has cleared the air on the matter.

AJ Styles vs. Gunther: 2026 Royal Rumble match

The Saturday bout at the Royal Rumble 2026 between Styles and Gunther was filled with brutality, with the latter unleashing nothing short of hell on the former amid the proceedings. Styles, who endured a relentless battering, refused to tap even as exhaustion overwhelmed him.

The clash between the two eventually ended not with a submission, but when Styles lost consciousness in a sleeper hold. He had confirmed that 2026 will be his last year in the WWE.



Twist in the tale?

Following his Saturday defeat against Gunther in Riyadh, Styles seemed shocked and appeared ready to leave his gloves behind in the ring. Just as all of it appeared to be a formality signaling retirement, he took a pause, put them back on, and walked out fully suited.




With no clarification over Styles’ retirement, WWE is reportedly divided on his future in the ring.