At the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Gunther secured a decisive victory over AJ Styles in a high-stakes retirement match, bringing the two-time World Champion’s WWE career to an end. This match, held on Saturday, marks the latest chapter in Gunther’s recent streak of defeating WWE legends in retirement bouts.
Gunther captured Styles with his signature sleeper hold, and when Styles was declared unable to continue by the referee, the contest was immediately stopped. This victory extends Gunther’s successful retirement match record, having previously defeated Goldberg and John Cena in similar career-ending encounters during the last year.
Gunther’s Dominance in Retirement Matches and Career Record
Gunther has repeatedly proven his skill by winning all three of his retirement matches with the sleeper hold submission, causing Goldberg and Styles to lose consciousness and forcing Cena to tap out. These victories have solidified his reputation as a formidable competitor, nicknamed “The Career Killer.”
With this latest triumph, Gunther’s record in non-title matches reaches an undefeated 34-0, underscoring his dominance across his WWE tenure.
Backstory of the Rivalry Between AJ Styles and Gunther
The rivalry ignited after Gunther insulted WWE legend John Cena, who had recently tapped out in his final match during ‘Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII’ on December 13, 2025. Gunther’s taunts toward Cena set the stage for confrontation by provoking Styles, a fellow veteran and highly respected wrestler.
The tension between Styles and Gunther grew, culminating in a match on the January 12 episode of ‘Monday Night Raw,’ where Gunther emerged victorious. Although Styles seemed to have won by making Gunther submit to a Calf Crusher, the referee did not witness the tap-out, and the match continued to Gunther’s advantage.
Frustrated by the controversial finish, Styles demanded a rematch the following week, with Gunther imposing the stipulation that Styles must risk his career if he agreed to face him again. After some hesitation, Styles accepted the challenge, leading to their climactic Royal Rumble showdown.
AJ, if you lose the rematch with me at the Royal Rumble, I want you to put your career on the line,
Gunther said.
AJ Styles’ Decade-Long WWE Career Reaches Its Final Bell
The retirement match came exactly ten years after Styles’ WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble, where he made a shocking appearance at entry number three, lasting nearly 29 minutes before being eliminated. Before WWE, Styles built his reputation in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and various international promotions, especially in Japan.
Throughout his WWE run, Styles secured multiple championships: two WWE Championships, three United States Championships, one Intercontinental Championship, and two World Tag Team Championships—once with Omos and once with Dragon Lee. He also achieved the distinguished Grand Slam status, becoming the 32nd wrestler to do so, positioning him as a likely future WWE Hall of Famer.
Uncertainty Surrounds AJ Styles’ Wrestling Future
Following this career-defining match, Styles’ future in professional wrestling remains unclear. In an interview last year with Chris Van Vliet, Styles expressed reluctance to continue wrestling into his 50s, though rumors suggested he might spend a few additional years competing in Japan before retiring entirely.
Broader Implications for WWE and Fans
Gunther’s victory and Styles’ retirement highlight a significant shift within WWE, with a rising star ending the career of a beloved veteran. This match not only ends an era for Styles but also bolsters Gunther’s growing legacy as a dominant force capable of toppling some of wrestling’s most iconic figures. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching Gunther’s trajectory, while speculating on Styles’ next moves, whether inside or outside the ring.
The Career Killer strikes again… 😳 pic.twitter.com/b7I06gUB1l
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2026
