At the recent WWE Royal Rumble event held in Saudi Arabia, Gunther emerged victorious over AJ Styles in a dramatic match that carried a significant retirement stipulation. This intense showdown marked the end of AJ Styles’ Royal Rumble career, confirming his exit from WWE. Gunther’s win capped off his string of high-profile retirements this year, having previously defeated Goldberg and John Cena in noteworthy encounters.
While many expected Styles to lose given the stakes, some fans hoped for a heroic win to set up a retirement tour, but that was not Styles’ preference. Gunther now stands in an intriguing position—whether he will continue retiring top stars or pivot back toward championship contention remains to be seen.
Highlights and Challenges From the Men’s Royal Rumble Match
The men’s Royal Rumble featured a variety of surprises, including the debut of the former Powerhouse Hobbs under his new ring name, Royce Keys. This rebranding caught many fans in the stadium off guard, reflecting the difficulty WWE faces in introducing new talents to international crowds unfamiliar with WWE’s deeper roster. The live audience was especially unresponsive to the appearance of AAA wrestlers, revealing the challenge of balancing entertainment for a global audience versus local fans.
Another memorable moment came when Drew McIntyre appeared at ringside to deliver a Claymore Kick to Cody Rhodes, effectively eliminating him from the match. This action hints at a storyline where Cody may win the upcoming Elimination Chamber match to earn a WrestleMania rematch, possibly in a Triple Threat bout involving Jacob Fatu. How WWE will develop this angle remains uncertain but promises further key developments.
A notably disappointing moment occurred with the elimination of Brock Lesnar, which lacked excitement as Cody Rhodes and LA Knight teamed to remove him without much fanfare. Yet, LA Knight remained a standout in crowd enthusiasm, demonstrating his growing popularity despite the overall lukewarm atmosphere for several participants.
Roman Reigns played a disruptive role by overshadowing Jey Uso’s entrance and quickly attacking him, though the crowd reaction was muted by earlier interruptions such as announcer Michael Cole’s dance. Several teased confrontations during the match failed to deliver the expected physicality, frustrating viewers who anticipated more decisive moments.
Ultimately, Roman Reigns winning the Royal Rumble pleased many casual viewers and live attendees, despite some fans hoping for newer talents like Oba Femi to break through. The event continues a long tradition of favoring established stars at the Rumble, with Reigns’ victory symbolizing WWE’s commitment to maintaining his dominance heading into WrestleMania.
Women’s Royal Rumble Brings Surprises Amid Some Limitations
The women’s Royal Rumble offered an engaging contest, though certain conditions limited its impact. Wrestlers were required to wear full-body attire per Saudi cultural norms, which occasionally made distinguishing participants difficult, especially during crowded ring segments. Compared with the men’s match, the women’s Rumble lacked some star power and had moments where the action stalled.
Unexpected crowd cheers welcomed appearances from established figures like Brie Bella, drawing a louder reaction than many anticipated. The match spotlighted Lash Legend as a rising powerhouse in the women’s division—an intriguing development given her current role within a tag team.
One highlight included Nattie’s elimination of Becky Lynch, which felt somewhat cold given both wrestlers’ heel alignments—raising questions about the storyline’s direction. Jacy Jayne also made a positive impression, transitioning successfully from her role as NXT Women’s Champion to proving herself on the main roster, perhaps hinting at a future rivalry with Sol Ruca, who eliminated her during the match.
The ultimate winner, Liv Morgan, provided a satisfying conclusion for many fans. Although hopes lingered for a Bianca Belair return and victory, Morgan’s triumph sets up intriguing follow-up narratives, particularly involving how Raquel Rodriguez will respond to her elimination and Morgan’s taunting behavior afterward.
Mixed Results in Other Matches at the Event
The WWE Championship match between Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn was solid in terms of in-ring action, but overall failed to generate the excitement expected from Zayn’s previous Saudi Arabia performances. The crowd’s muted response suggested his momentum had cooled considerably. McIntyre’s victory was a logical choice to reinforce his standing after a brief initial title reign, though the finish did little to sell Zayn as a serious threat. This loss raises speculation about possible changes to Zayn’s character direction, including a potential heel turn triggered by frustration.
Balancing Act for WWE’s Creative Team Amid Unique Audience Reactions
The event highlighted the complex challenge WWE faces when catering to diverse audiences, particularly the Saudi crowd, which showed limited enthusiasm for certain performers and segments, especially comedic ones. This dynamic forced the creative team to reconsider how they book international events, as the crowd’s subdued reactions impacted the perceived energy of the show.
Looking ahead to WrestleMania, WWE will need to decide whether to stage the show aligned with local tastes or maintain its traditional presentation style aimed at a broader global audience. The decisions made could influence how talent, storylines, and match pacing are handled in future international events.
What AJ Styles’ Departure Means for WWE and the Future of Gunther
AJ Styles’ exit from WWE following his loss to Gunther closes a significant chapter in the company’s history. Styles has been a consistent and influential performer, and while a traditional retirement tour will not materialize, his legacy remains intact. For Gunther, the victory adds to an impressive resume of high-profile retirements within a short period, raising questions about his next move.
Whether Gunther returns to championship contention or continues targeting established stars remains uncertain, but his rising profile positions him as a key player in WWE’s landscape. Moving forward, fans and analysts will watch closely to see how storylines evolve building up to WrestleMania and beyond, particularly with shifting dynamics among top wrestlers like Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre, and emerging talents.
