AJ Styles is expected to face Gunther in what could be his retirement match at the 2026 Royal Rumble PLE, scheduled for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Despite this, WWE legend Booker T has expressed skepticism that Styles’ final bout will take place abroad, insisting the event should happen in the United States, where Styles has built his legacy.
Booker T Voices Doubts Over Saudi Arabia as AJ Styles’ Retirement Venue
Booker T shared his opinion on The Hall of Fame podcast, arguing that AJ Styles deserves to conclude his career on American soil instead of Saudi Arabia. He stressed that while the match could be arranged overseas, it seems unlikely for Styles to finish his storied career outside the U.S.
“You know what? AJ [Styles] is not that type of guy. I mean, he could be, I could be wrong, but AJ is gonna have his last match here in the States. He’s not gonna have his last match in Saudi Arabia. It’s not gonna happen. I mean, you can book it like that if you want,”
Booker T said.
He added,
“You know what? I mean, it might be good for booking thoughts, but I don’t think AJ Styles, a guy who is American-made, you know, had so many great matches, so many guys, so many, you know, those TNA guys, that’s not gonna happen,”
reinforcing his stance against the possibility of a Saudi Arabia finale for Styles.
Reasons Behind Booker T’s Position on Styles’ Final Match Location
Delving deeper on the podcast, Booker T explained his strong belief that Styles’ career should culminate in the U.S., emphasizing the wrestler’s roots and long-standing contributions to American wrestling. Booker T said,
“I’d be shocked just because of the reasons I just said, yeah. I mean, unless you know, there’s something, you know, a deeper issue, let’s just say that. And I don’t want to speculate on that or anything like that at all. But for me, if I’m booking the show, I’m not booking that.”
He continued,
“You know what I mean, if I’m the guy that’s doing it, actually acting I’m not, you know, going out that way just because of what I’ve done, you know, for this business here in the United States since I was a kid, like I said, I remember seeing AJ Styles as a kid in that locker room, way back in the day, you know, just looking for a break, looking for a break, you know, I mean, so nah, I don’t see that.”
Context of AJ Styles’ Recent Matches Leading to Retirement Debate
Leading up to his potential retirement match, Styles has competed in two highly praised encounters against CM Punk and Shinsuke Nakamura, the latter of whom reportedly hinted at Styles’ career conclusion. This build-up adds to the discussion around where the final chapter of Styles’ in-ring career will be written.
The 2026 Royal Rumble PLE is slated for January 31 at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a major event that could host Styles’ final bout, though voices like Booker T’s highlight the ongoing debate.
Implications of Styles’ Retirement Match Location
The question of where AJ Styles will retire holds significance not only for fans but for the wrestling industry, as it touches on the honoring of wrestling heritage and how retirement matches uphold a wrestler’s legacy. Booker T’s perspective reflects a broader sentiment that a career as influential as Styles’ deserves a farewell on home ground, underscoring the cultural importance of location in wrestling milestones.
The decision on the AJ Styles retirement match location remains uncertain, with the upcoming Royal Rumble PLE offering a pivotal moment to clarify the future. How WWE handles this will likely impact fan expectations and Styles’ lasting image within the wrestling world.
