AJ Styles officially ended his wrestling career after losing to Gunther at the WWE Royal Rumble held on Saturday in Riyadh. The match carried a retirement stipulation, meaning Styles would have to leave the ring if he was defeated.
Gunther, known as The Ring General, dominated the contest by unleashing a relentless assault and using corner chops to keep Styles on the defensive. During the match, Styles sustained a severe cut on his arm, which appeared to limit his offensive capability.
Gunther, motivated by his previous retirements of veterans Goldberg and John Cena in 2025, aimed to add Styles to that list. In the finale, he locked in a rear-naked chokehold, a move that previously ended both Goldberg and Cena’s matches. Despite Styles’ attempts to fight back, he eventually lost consciousness, leading the referee to stop the match.
Following the bout, the 48-year-old wrestler became visibly emotional as he expressed gratitude to the Riyadh audience and fans worldwide watching the premium event.
AJ Styles Will Not Appear on Upcoming WWE Raw Episode
The next WWE Raw episode is scheduled for February 2, 2026, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This event will continue the storyline progression toward WrestleMania 42, just two days after the Royal Rumble.
Unlike many retiring wrestlers who often address the WWE Universe immediately, AJ Styles did not make a direct speech after his match, leading many to expect his appearance on Raw. However, reports from PWInsider confirm that Styles, famously known as The Phenomenal One, will not appear on the show. It remains unclear if he will return to wrestling in the near future.
On the same episode, WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer is set to defend her title against Raquel Rodriguez in a Philadelphia Street Fight match, promising a high-stakes contest for the audience.
Wrestling Highlights and Other Noteworthy Developments
Drew McIntyre had a standout night at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, delivering an impressive performance. Meanwhile, AJ Lee made a return to WWE ahead of Wrestlepalooza after a decade away, adding excitement to the roster.
CM Punk proposed a unique title versus title match at the 2026 Royal Rumble, engaging in ongoing rivalries with other WWE champions. Additionally, Roman Reigns made a sharp comment targeting Brock Lesnar before the event, intensifying their long-standing feud.
Liv Morgan, who won the WWE Women’s Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, has since addressed the controversy surrounding her betrayal of a teammate during the match.
Other moments included tensions rising between tag team partners who started the Women’s Royal Rumble as the first two entrants, and Becky Lynch making an unexpected claim regarding a controversial moment during the women’s match.
The Impact of AJ Styles’ Retirement on WWE’s Future
AJ Styles’s retirement marks the end of an era for a wrestler admired for his technical skill and charismatic performances. His absence from WWE Raw shortly after his retirement heightens the sense of finality around his departure. For fans and the WWE Universe, this moment carries a solemn tone as one of the industry’s top performers steps away from the spotlight.
Gunther’s continued dominance by retiring high-profile veterans further establishes him as a major force heading into WrestleMania 42, which promises intense competition across multiple divisions. The Philadelphia Raw episode will play a vital role in shaping the road to WrestleMania, especially with high-profile matches like Stephanie Vaquer versus Raquel Rodriguez set to take place without Styles’ presence.
