WWE Seemingly Spoils AJ Styles Vs. Gunther’s Royal Rumble Match

AJ Styles will put his career on the line against Gunther at the Royal Rumble this weekend.

Styles has claimed that he will not lose the match and hence not retire at the Royal Rumble, but many fans believe it could be his final WWE match. He recently faced Shinsuke Nakamura in a one-on-one match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24, a bout that Styles ultimately won.

Following the match, Nakamura took to Instagram and shared a diary entry from the day before their encounter. In the post, Nakamura appeared to reveal a spoiler, stating that Styles had previously told him he planned to retire at the Royal Rumble.

However, on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw, AJ Styles hinted that he may be sticking around WWE throughout 2026. While referencing John Cena’s retirement tour, Styles said that 2025 was Cena’s year, which could make 2026 “AJ Styles’ year.”

This comment gave fans renewed hope that Styles may not actually be retiring at the Royal Rumble. That optimism was short-lived, as WWE recently made a move that once again left fans concerned.

WWE Files A New Trademark For AJ Styles’ Opponent Gunther

Ahead of their Royal Rumble showdown, WWE filed a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the name “Career Killer” for Gunther on January 26.

This development has sparked speculation that The Ring General, who has already retired John Cena and Goldberg in 2025, may be set to end AJ Styles’ career as well. If true, the Royal Rumble could mark the final chapter in the legendary WWE career of AJ Styles.

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