Why AJ Styles Feels Shame After WWE Royal Rumble Failure

AJ Styles is happy to be back in the ring, but just competing isn’t enough.

On February 1, Jey Uso shocked the world by winning the 2025 Royal Rumble match at the expense of heavy favourite John Cena.

While Uso will now head to WrestleMania 41 and another date with Gunther and the World Heavyweight Title, his win wasn’t the only story on the night.

Earlier in the match, AJ Styles returned to action after suffering an injury back in October. The former World Champion entered at number 21 and was given a monster reception along the way. Styles followed his surprise entrance with a strong performance, lasting over 21 minutes before being unceremoniously thrown out by Logan Paul.

AJ Styles Reflects On Bittersweet Comeback

During a backstage interview with Cathy Kelley, Styles pointed out that he wore the same gear as when he debuted at the Rumble in 2016. He then broke down how special it was to get back in front of a WWE live crowd.

“Did you notice that I wore the same gear, too? Pretty much the same colors, everything, pretty much. Wow, almost the same experience with the fans. The WWE Universe. You know, it really, it’s been a minute because I’ve been hurt and I’m back.

But man, that feeling that you get when you walk down that aisle and thousands of people are screaming. I don’t know if it gets any better than that. Does it get much better than that? I don’t think so. I don’t know, it’s why I’m still doing this.”

Styles went on to discuss the “shame” of being eliminated by Logan Paul but refused to dwell on the disappointment.

“I’ll never live that down, getting eliminated by Logan Paul. But you know what? I got out there and I did what I needed to do. I stayed long there, was in there with the big dogs, and I held my ground.

Unfortunately, I didn’t see the one coming behind me, who apparently jumped on the table, scaffold his way back over to the steps and caught me off guard. But this is the WWE. You will lose. You will win. Accept it. Move on. Next Big Thing.”

Elsewhere in the match, there were special appearances for IShowSpeed and TNA World Champion Joe Hendry.

H/t to SEScoops