At the WWE Royal Rumble event, Gunther secured a significant victory by defeating AJ Styles, leading to Styles’ retirement from professional wrestling. This triumph adds to Gunther’s record, which already includes recent retirements of wrestling legends Goldberg and John Cena during 2025. Gunther’s win has sparked speculation about whether Randy Orton could be his next target in the ring, fueling rumors surrounding Randy Orton retirement.
Gunther Reflects on His Night and Actions at Royal Rumble
Speaking on the WWE Now Royal Rumble Recap alongside Sam Roberts and Megan Morant, Gunther described his intentions during the match.
“So, my intent was to tap AJ out and my intent was to win the Royal Rumble, obviously. Well that didn’t fully work out, but I sure as hell made sure AJ Styles falls asleep like a little bitch,”
he stated, emphasizing his focus on both victory and retirement outcomes at the event.
The Purpose Behind Retiring Wrestling Legends
Gunther explained the reasoning behind ending the careers of established wrestlers. He believes it serves the wrestling business by encouraging legends to step aside for rising stars like himself.
“The question is, what do you get out of it? What does everybody else get out of it? It’s like the — I’m doing a good service to the sport, to the business of professional wrestling. Because there’s all those guys, they always think they’re welcome, they chase another moment. And nobody takes the time and invest their energy in stepping up to them and make them understand, ‘Hey, get outta here.’ It’s like, ‘You’ve done your thing. It’s time to move on and [not] take moments away from people far greater like myself.’ So that’s what it is, simple as that,”
Gunther explained.
He further asserted his confidence by stating,
“You can blame me for what it is, but my career is not built on what fans think about me. My career is not built on Goldberg, John Cena, AJ Styles. My career is built on the results I delivered, the performances I delivered. That’s what it’s built on.”
Suggesting Possible Future Moves Toward Randy Orton
When asked if he specifically targeted Randy Orton at the Royal Rumble for retirement, Gunther gave a brief, contemplative reply: “Maybe.” This response adds weight to ongoing Randy Orton retirement rumors and signals that Gunther’s path may soon cross with Orton’s in a similar conclusion.
Gunther’s Reaction to AJ Styles’ Emotional Post-Match Moment
Regarding AJ Styles’ emotional moment after their match, Gunther admitted he did not witness it.
“I didn’t see that… No, let them all hug each other and cry a little bit. But no, I had bigger things to focus on. I had to go into the Royal Rumble again,”
he remarked, highlighting his focus on upcoming challenges rather than past sentimentality.
This latest series of retirements positions Gunther as a dominant force reshaping the professional wrestling landscape, with his actions potentially marking the end of several storied careers, including that of Randy Orton. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for Gunther’s next moves and how the WWE roster adjusts to this evolving dynamic.
