A brutal scenario has been suggested by WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash, who pitched an unorthodox ending for the highly anticipated AJ Styles vs Gunther RAW match. The match, set for this week’s episode, comes after Styles slapped Gunther the previous week for boasting about retiring John Cena, escalating the tension between the two superstars and making for a must-see event.
Nash’s Detailed Pitch for the Match Finish
Kevin Nash, on his Kliq This podcast, laid out a storyline he believes would maximize drama and heat for Gunther’s character. According to Nash, despite AJ Styles dominating much of the contest, Gunther would turn the tide by delivering a thumb to Styles’ eye. This underhanded move would lead to Styles tapping out, handing Gunther a tainted victory. Nash advocated that WWE take things further by announcing post-match that the injury resulted in a detached retina for Styles, forcing him out of action for four weeks.
“And then you’ve got because he’s gonna have to cheat to win and then he’ll have heat and he can tell not only did I make that little b*tch AJ tap out, but AJ has to simmer because he has a bad eye. We can get some mileage out of that run,”
Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer, said.
Angle Draws on WWE History and Rivalries
The injury angle suggested by Nash mirrors previous storylines run by WWE, notably the infamous rivalry involving Seth Rollins, Rey Mysterio, and Aleister Black in 2020. During that feud, similar eye injuries played a pivotal role in intensifying the drama and sidelining key competitors, which became a major talking point among WWE fans. Nash’s proposal taps into this formula, aiming to generate sympathy for Styles while fueling animosity toward Gunther.
Potential Impact on Future WWE Storytelling
If WWE adopts Nash’s injury storyline, AJ Styles’ forced absence could allow Gunther to further enhance his persona as a rule-breaker, earning more resentment from the audience. This angle could also set the stage for a dramatic return for Styles, intensifying his feud with Gunther and raising the stakes for future encounters. The suggestion from a legend like Nash, whose insight has shaped many memorable moments, could influence WWE’s creative direction as the company builds toward upcoming events.
Kevin Nash has pitched for Gunther to defeat AJ Styles on tonight's Raw in a detached retina angle.
"I would hope that in that match, AJ would beat him from pillar to post, and out of nowhere, finally Gunther thumbs him in the eye and ends up tapping out AJ.
"And then we find… pic.twitter.com/IhIjew11io
— Cultaholic Wrestling (@Cultaholic) January 12, 2026
