AJ Styles, regarded as one of wrestling’s standout performers, is nearing the end of his career in WWE, with his retirement anticipated in 2026. As he approaches his final dates, the anticipation for AJ Styles WWE retirement matches has intensified, with potential clashes that could define his legendary legacy in the ring.
The Final Push: AJ Styles Nears WWE Retirement
AJ Styles has left a significant mark on the wrestling world, but with his contract expected to run out by February 2026, his tenure as an active WWE competitor is winding down. WWE may look to extend his stay through April, giving him an opportunity to participate in WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. As he prepares to exit the squared circle, speculation swirls about which dream matches could be lined up for The Phenomenal One, with Triple H possibly making deliberate choices about Styles’s last opponents, given his limited remaining appearances.
1. World Championship Clash: AJ Styles vs. CM Punk
As Styles approaches his swan song, many expect him to make a push for the World Heavyweight Championship one last time. After recently losing the World Tag Team Championship on RAW, Styles now has the freedom to pursue solo gold. This opens the possibility for a headline feud with CM Punk leading up to WrestleMania 42, with the title at stake.
A high-stakes confrontation for the championship could take place at Elimination Chamber 2026 in Chicago, Illinois—a city synonymous with Punk. Fans have been vocal about wanting AJ Styles back in the world title picture, and the moment seems ripe for WWE to make this anticipated match a reality before Styles hangs up his boots.
2. A Nostalgic Return: Competing in the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble
Styles’s connection with the Royal Rumble runs deep, as his WWE journey began at the 2016 edition of the event. With the 2026 Royal Rumble scheduled for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—the first time it will be held there—this show could serve as AJ’s final appearance in the iconic Battle Royal. Participating in the 30-man match would not only serve as a fitting bookend to his WWE run but would also allow fans one last chance to witness Styles grapple for a WrestleMania headliner.
WWE is reportedly planning an especially grand Royal Rumble next year, and with Styles in his final months, his involvement would add an extra layer of drama and nostalgia to the spectacle.
3. Generational Showdown: AJ Styles Faces Bron Breakker
Another highly anticipated match on the roadmap for AJ Styles is a one-on-one against Bron Breakker. As WWE looks to position Breakker as a leading name for the next era, a high-profile bout against the respected veteran could act as a symbolic ‘passing of the torch.’ Triple H is believed to be keen on making this encounter happen, especially in the lead-up to WrestleMania. A match between these two would allow Styles to elevate Breakker further, cementing the latter’s place in the main event scene on RAW.
Given Breakker’s momentum and the tradition of legends helping solidify the next generation as they prepare to step away, this showdown embodies the emotional transition that retirement matches often represent in sports entertainment.
4. The Inevitable Feud: AJ Styles vs. Gunther
A marquee encounter that fans and insiders alike expect is a showdown between AJ Styles and Gunther. Dubbed “The Ring General,” Gunther has forged a reputation for dismantling top WWE talent, notably retiring John Cena. His ongoing on-screen provocations towards Styles, including multiple televised face-offs on RAW, are seen as foreshadowing a major storyline culmination.
Rumors suggest that Triple H sees Gunther as a fitting adversary to close out Styles’s WWE journey. With Gunther being portrayed as a “career killer,” many believe he is being positioned as the man to officially retire AJ Styles at WrestleMania 42. Should this happen, it would represent the end of an era, as Styles passes the torch to another dominant force in WWE.
The End of a Phenomenal Era: What Lies Ahead
As AJ Styles’s time in WWE draws to a close, the matches he could contest hold great significance, not only for his own legacy but also for the future landscape of professional wrestling in the company. Each rumored encounter, from world title ambitions to generational battles and confrontations with dominant figures like Gunther, carries emotional and historical importance.
Styles’s final run looks set to offer both celebration of his storied career and the drama of transition, setting the stage for new stars while honoring one of wrestling’s modern icons. Fans await official announcements as the road to WrestleMania 42 unfolds, knowing these AJ Styles WWE retirement matches will shape the memories and direction of WWE for years to come.
Don’t know if I see it happening but it should. AJ Styles. One last world title reign before he retires.
#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/j4ByfknjOA— Double A🩸 (@combattakesygm) December 30, 2025
