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4 WWE Legends Gunther May Retire In 2026 After John Cena

By Monika Thapa • Published Dec 23, 2025 06:55 EST
Gunther WWE

2024 was a big year for Gunther, as he retired wrestling legends left and right.

He first took out Goldberg at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, Goldberg’s hometown.

Just five months later, on December 13, 2025, at the same SNME event in Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena, he made John Cena submit in the 17-time Champ’s emotional farewell bout.

Now, fans are buzzing: Who’s next on the Ring General’s hit list? Here are four WWE legends who could be his next target.

#1 AJ Styles

AJ Styles tops the chatter after Gunther’s arrogant promo on the December 15 edition of Monday Night RAW, post-SNME.

The Phenomenal One, who is eyeing retirement in 2026 while his body’s still good, got hit with Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” taunt from the Aussie star backstage.

Styles has said he wants to bow out strong, and this feels like WWE planting seeds for a vet-vs-vet clash.

#2 Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is rumored for a SummerSlam 2026 retirement in his Minnesota home state at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 1-2.

WWE teased their dream matchup for WrestleMania 40 in 2024 but scrapped it over Lesnar’s legal ties.

Dave Meltzer reports internal 2026 plans include Lesnar’s exit, and Gunther could be the monster to end The Beast’s era in WWE.

#3 Randy Orton

Randy Orton would be a poetic pick for Gunther to retire. The OG Legend Killer vs. Gunther, the modern-day Legend Killer fans and vets are dubbing him after his two big notches of 2024.

Orton is 45 years old and in the latter years of his in-ring career. His Viper strikes have slowed, and the 38-year-old star retiring him would make a fitting “pass the torch” swan song.

#4 Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho is rumored to return to WWE in 2026, and according to the reports, WWE has offered him a retirement tour.

Gunther’s credibility as a modern-day legend killer fits perfectly to retire Y2J if he wishes to end his in-ring career in 2026, thus giving Jericho an awesome final chapter before he rides off into the sunset.