AJ Styles’ professional wrestling journey concluded abruptly after his defeat to Gunther at the Royal Rumble event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The match stipulated that if Styles lost, he would be forced to retire, a condition activated when Styles passed out from a sleeper hold, leading the referee to stop the contest.
Gunther’s Dominance Confirms His Reputation as a Career-Ending Opponent
The finish reinforced Gunther’s recent pattern of victories against wrestling legends, elevating his status as a formidable career-ender in the sport. This defeat definitively closes Styles’ ten-year tenure with WWE, a period marked by numerous achievements and memorable moments.
AJ Styles’ Wrestling Legacy and WWE Achievements
Before WWE, Styles earned international acclaim as one of the top talents in TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling. His WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble was met with overwhelming applause. Throughout his decade in the company, Styles secured two WWE Championship reigns, holding the title for a total of 511 days. His first championship win occurred at Backlash 2016 against Dean Ambrose, and his second reign lasted over a year, starting in November 2017. In addition to this, Styles achieved Grand Slam status by capturing the Intercontinental, United States, and Raw Tag Team Championships.
Background of the Retirement Match and Rivalry With Gunther
The retirement stipulation emerged after a contentious loss to Gunther on the January 12 episode of Raw. Determined to reclaim his honor, Styles challenged the World Heavyweight Champion to a rematch, agreeing to the condition that he retire if defeated.
Match Highlights and Key Moments in Riyadh
The Riyadh crowd showed unwavering support for Styles from the start. Gunther exploited his size and power, opening with aggressive chops and a back suplex onto the commentary table, which caused a bleeding injury on Styles’ left arm. Despite the injuries, Styles fought back multiple times, targeting Gunther’s legs with the Calf Crusher submission hold on two occasions, forcing Gunther to reach the ropes during the second attempt. Styles nearly won when he countered a powerbomb into a Styles Clash, but Gunther managed to kick out.
Gunther resorted to underhanded tactics, distracting the referee to deliver a low blow followed by a powerbomb. Styles still showed resilience by kicking out, but Gunther responded with a relentless combination of chops and lariats while taunting him. The climax of the contest came when Styles went for his signature Phenomenal Forearm, only to be caught mid-air and placed into a sleeper hold with a body scissor. Styles’ efforts to escape failed as he lost consciousness, prompting the referee to end the match.
Audience Reaction and Emotional Farewell
The arena erupted in applause as the referee signaled the conclusion. Fans at the Riyadh Season Arena rose, chanting Styles’ name in tribute. Regaining consciousness, Styles stood in the center of the ring to absorb the crowd’s appreciation. In a poignant gesture, he removed his gloves with the appearance of leaving them in the ring but ultimately decided to wear them again. Styles then gave his signature P1 hand signal one last time before exiting the ring to his theme music.
Implications of AJ Styles’ Retirement and Legacy
AJ Styles’ retirement marks the end of a significant era in professional wrestling. His impact on WWE and the broader wrestling world is profound, given his championship pedigree and influence as a performer. Moving forward, his departure opens opportunities for new rivalries and champions to emerge, while fans and peers alike will remember Styles as a key figure who shaped wrestling’s modern landscape.
