All articles tagged with #gunther
WWE Raw from Memphis will close with a triple-threat Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifier featuring Gunther, Dominik Mysterio, and Je’Von Evans, with the winner earning a spot in the Elimination Chamber ahead of WrestleMania; the episode also features appearances by CM Punk and Liv Morgan and includes a Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifier (Asuka, Bayley, Natalya).
An early Ringside News spoiler (via BodySlam.net) outlines WWE RAW on February 16, 2026 as a Memphis‑set show with The Usos, a Rhea Ripley/IYO SKY segment, a Liv Morgan segment, two Elimination Chamber qualifying matches (Asuka vs Natalya vs Bayley; Gunther vs Dominik Mysterio vs Je’Von Evans), a CM Punk segment, a Future of the Intercontinental Championship segment, an AJ Lee segment, plus backstage notes on Royce Keys’ status, absent talent spotted backstage, and a hint that NXT stars may debut on RAW, with last‑minute changes always possible.
AJ Styles has reportedly retired from in-ring competition in WWE, ending his active career on his own terms after his final match at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh against GUNTHER. Fightful Select notes his contract timing around February 2026 and says there was no finalized extension; multiple WWE sources say Styles dictated his retirement, and while he could appear in a non-wrestling or mentoring role, his days as an active WWE performer are finished.
Roman Reigns returns to the top of WWE by reportedly winning the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, setting up a potential WrestleMania showdown versus Drew McIntyre or CM Punk, and addressing WWE’s creative direction after criticizing it on The Pat McAfee Show; the piece also notes an inconsistent line claiming Drew McIntyre won, indicating some ambiguity in the report.
Triple H said AJ Styles made it clear he’s done with in‑ring competition, with Styles’ final in‑ring outing coming at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh where he lost to Gunther. WWE hopes Styles can continue contributing to the business in a non‑wrestling capacity, potentially in a mentorship or front‑office role similar to Shawn Michaels’ work in NXT.
WWE’s Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh centers on a potential retirement match for AJ Styles against GUNTHER, with Styles hoping to extend his career while GUNTHER looks to cement his dominance; the card also features Drew McIntyre defending the WWE Championship against Sami Zayn and both the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, with a mix of confirmed entrants and possible surprises, as fans watch for Styles’ farewell, Zayn’s title hopes, and the ongoing power of GUNTHER—all set against the broader backdrop of the Saudi-hosted event.
AJ Styles has retired from in-ring competition after his Royal Rumble loss to GUNTHER, with Triple H praising Styles as universally respected and suggesting he may pivot to coaching, echoing a Shawn Michaels-like lasting impact on the industry.
Roman Reigns won the Men’s Royal Rumble and Liv Morgan won the Women’s Royal Rumble in Riyadh, earning WrestleMania title opportunities. Drew McIntyre retained the WWE Championship against Sami Zayn. AJ Styles’ career ended in a loss to Gunther via the Gojira Clutch after a long, brutal duel. The Men’s Rumble featured surprise entrants and chaos, including a hooded attacker ambushing Bron Breakker (Oba Femi) and a final four of Reigns, Gunther, Logan Paul and Randy Orton, with Reigns ultimately eliminating Gunther to win.
AJ Styles says 2026 will be his final year in WWE and has talked with Triple H about potential opponents. He’s even put his career on the line against Gunther at the 2026 Royal Rumble as part of a plan to meet a final slate of dream opponents before retirement.
Triple H says AJ Styles has a clear goal of facing dream opponents before his 2026 in‑ring retirement, with regular talks about who Styles wants to meet. Styles vs. Gunther headlines the Saudi Arabia Royal Rumble, with Styles risking his career to try to end Gunther’s streak. Styles has a running list of desired opponents, while Gunther continues his push (and WWE has trademarked his new nickname, Career Killer).
AJ Styles’ Royal Rumble match vs. Gunther is billed as a career-on-the-line bout, fueling retirement talk after Nakamura hinted Styles planned to retire at Royal Rumble and PWInsider Elite suggested he could wrap up before WrestleMania, with Styles previously stating 2026 would be his final year.
Rumors are circling that AJ Styles may retire if he loses to GUNTHER in WWE’s Royal Rumble 2026, with Styles agreeing to a career-on-the-line stipulation after GUNTHER’s challenge on Raw. The plot thickens as Shinsuke Nakamura shared a diary entry suggesting Styles had privately indicated retirement at Royal Rumble, adding intrigue ahead of the January 31 event.
Shinsuke Nakamura's now-deleted Instagram Story reportedly reveals that AJ Styles planned to retire after facing Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh, framing the Saudi show as a career-ending match; Nakamura recounted a private 2025 tour conversation in which Styles hinted at retirement and agreed to one last bout, suggesting the event could mark the end of Styles’ WWE legacy.
Shinsuke Nakamura posted a diary-style Instagram Story that appeared to spoil AJ Styles' victory over him and teased retirement before Styles' career-threatening match against Gunther at the Royal Rumble; the post has since been removed.
With AJ Styles’ career on the line against GUNTHER at the 2026 Royal Rumble, WWE is reportedly considering a double-save: Styles could beat GUNTHER to preserve his career, then GUNTHER would win the Royal Rumble to regain momentum heading into WrestleMania, a plan noted by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This setup would help both men stay strong, as Styles also faces Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in Montreal.