On Monday night, AJ Styles confronted Gunther in a heated exchange during WWE RAW, setting the stage for a highly anticipated AJ Styles vs Gunther match next week. The animosity between the two superstars escalated rapidly as Gunther boasted about his victory over John Cena, prompting Styles to finally take a stand in front of a live audience.
Heated Exchange Escalates to Physical Confrontation
Gunther, known as The Ring General, began the episode by proudly recounting his defeat of John Cena, making it clear to the WWE Universe and officials that he believes he is the premier talent in the company. While addressing the crowd, Styles entered the arena, ready to confront Gunther about his claims and attitudes.
However, Gunther immediately dismissed Styles, suggesting that if Styles wanted to talk about respect, he was aiming too high, and that everyone knows Gunther has risen to the top of the company. Tensions spiked, and Gunther goaded Styles, questioning what he intended to do about the situation, even resorting to personal insults. Styles responded by slapping Gunther, which left The Ring General stunned as they squared up in the ring before leaving the area.
Backstage Demands Lead to Official Match Announcement
Later in the night, the situation reached a breaking point backstage. Adam Pearce, a WWE official, was confronted by Gunther demanding a match against Styles. Moments later, Styles appeared and also requested a bout, challenging Gunther’s bravado and demanding to see if Gunther would rise to the challenge or back out. In response, Gunther insisted on a one-on-one match the following week, leading Pearce to make the showdown between AJ Styles and Gunther official for next week’s episode of WWE RAW.
“Things are FAR from over between @AJStylesOrg and @Gunther_AUT ? pic.twitter.com/Ifba7WmV0f” — WWE
“IT’S OFFICIAL ?@AJStylesOrg and @Gunther_AUT will go 1-on-1 NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/4Ma9DJRPiN” — WWE
Significance for WWE and the Superstars Involved
The upcoming AJ Styles vs Gunther match has generated significant interest among WWE fans and is expected to have major implications for both competitors. With John Cena’s recent defeat by Gunther still fresh, Gunther seeks to maintain his dominance, while Styles aims to remind the company and its audience of his own legacy. The official announcement by Adam Pearce promises a must-see event that could alter the trajectory for both superstars in WWE.
Things are FAR from over between @AJStylesOrg and @Gunther_AUT 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ifba7WmV0f
— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2026
IT'S OFFICIAL 🙌@AJStylesOrg and @Gunther_AUT will go 1-on-1 NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/4Ma9DJRPiN
— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2026
