AJ Styles’ RAW Comment Sparks Major Retirement Twist Ahead of Royal Rumble Showdown
AJ Styles may have just reignited one of WWE’s biggest unanswered questions—without even trying. The Phenomenal One is set to put his career on the line against Gunther at WWE Royal Rumble on January 31, a match many believe could mark the final chapter of his legendary WWE run. Styles has already confirmed that he plans to retire in 2026, and with his WWE contract expiring shortly after the Rumble, expectations have been building that this weekend could be the end.
But a single line from Styles on Monday Night RAW has thrown that assumption into serious doubt.
One Line on RAW Changed Everything
Styles opened RAW addressing his high-stakes clash with Gunther before CM Punk interrupted, leading to a World Heavyweight Championship match later in the night. While the segment seemed straightforward on the surface, one particular statement immediately caught fans’ attention.
“Gunther claims he’s gonna end my WWE career at the Royal Rumble.”
The wording was subtle—but deliberate. By specifically referencing his WWE career, Styles left the door open to something more. Fans quickly began speculating that while his time with WWE may be nearing its end, his in-ring career itself might not be.
Wrestling Beyond WWE Still on the Table?
That idea isn’t new within the industry. Sports Illustrated’s Jon Alba has long suggested that Styles may wrestle elsewhere after leaving WWE, even if only briefly. Following the RAW promo, Alba reiterated that belief, noting he has felt for over a year that Styles would not walk away from wrestling entirely once his WWE chapter closes.
Before the Gunther match was even made official, there were already quiet rumors that Styles could step back into a TNA ring one last time, revisiting the promotion where he first became a global star.
What About AEW?
Naturally, AEW has also entered the conversation. Styles has close ties to The Young Bucks and was previously in talks with Tony Khan’s promotion before opting to extend his WWE deal. After announcing his retirement plans last year, fans openly pushed for a dream AEW run—but Styles publicly laughed off the idea that money influenced his WWE decision.
According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, however, an AEW jump remains highly unlikely. An October report described the chances as “very slim,” stating that Styles is comfortable with his current role and schedule and isn’t interested in making a shocking late-career move just for one final spotlight moment.
A Legendary WWE Run—But Not Necessarily the End
AJ Styles has been a WWE mainstay since his unforgettable Royal Rumble debut in 2016. Since then, he’s become a two-time WWE Champion, a Triple Crown winner, and one of the most respected performers of his generation.
Whether Gunther truly ends his WWE career this Saturday remains to be seen. But thanks to one carefully chosen line on RAW, it’s now clear that AJ Styles’ story in wrestling may not be finished just yet.
