The Ring General Gunther has become a black widow in the WWE, taking the careers of many men he tangles with. After retiring Goldberg and John Cena, Gunther has his sights set on ending AJ Styles’ career at the Royal Rumble. As we broke the news here, AJ Styles plans to retire in 2026. However, this soon? The Phenomenal One’s long-time rival, Shinsuke Nakamura, seemed to confirm it, as Shinsuke Nakamura spoils AJ Styles’ retirement match in a now-deleted social media post.
AJ Styles Defeats Shinsuke Nakamura During Saturday Night’s Main Event
Saturday Night’s Main Event saw Sami Zayn punch his ticket to the Royal Rumble as he became the new number one contender to Drew McIntyre’s Undisputed WWE Championship. That development wasn’t the only one to make the road to the Royal Rumble clearer.
AJ Styles faced his long-time rival, Shinsuke Nakamura, in what will most likely be their final encounter. The two’s storied history dates back to when AJ Styles was the leader of The Bullet Club, and Shinsuke Nakamura was at the helm of CHAOS. Their first battle was at Wrestle Kingdom 10 when The King of Strong Style retained the IWGP Championship over The Phenomenal One.
These two veterans would clash many times over the years. Their paths would even cross in WWE. The first AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura match happened at WrestleMania 34, with Styles retaining the WWE Title over the 2018 Royal Rumble winner.
With AJ Styles’ career on the line against Gunther at this year’s Royal Rumble, the former Bullet Club leader wanted to run it back one more time with The Artist.
These two pulled out another classic encounter. It was a back-and-forth battle that saw both Superstars hit their greatest hits. In the end, AJ Styles put Shinsuke Nakamura down with a Phenomenal Forearm and Styles Clash for the win.
As always, AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura showed respect for each other after their battle. Unlike the WrestleMania encounter, Shinsuke didn’t kick AJ low after the embrace. However, Shinsuke Nakamura spoils AJ Styles’ future plans with a now-deleted Instagram Reel.
Shinsuke Nakamura Spoils AJ Styles’ Match Outcome
The impact that Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles have on one another’s careers is undeniable. So, it makes complete sense that Nakamura (who is facing his own potential retirement) would give his former foe his flowers after their final encounter. After all, he wasn’t able to do so for his friend Hiroshi Tanahashi.
The King of Strong Style posted a Reel that chronicled the journey leading to Saturday Night’s Main Event. In the post, Shinsuke Nakamura shared an entry from his diary.
Screenshots reveal that Shinsuke Nakamura spoils AJ Styles’ retirement with this:
“During last year’s Australia tour, at a house show in Melbourne, AJ gave a speech after the match.
Listening to it, it was clear he was thanking the fans. But somehow, it also felt like he was hinting that retirement might not be that far away.
The tour continued to Japan, and before the shows there, I asked him something.
We were in a van on the way to the meet and greet.
I asked him,
‘When are you going to retire?’
He answered,
‘The Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.’
Me…
…!!!
Whether I actually said it out loud or just thought it for a split second, I’m not sure. But I remember it clearly.
‘Before you retire, I want to wrestle you one more time.’
AJ nodded.”
In his touching tribute, Shinsuke Nakamura seemingly gave away that Gunther will defeat AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble. Now, the post is deleted, but is the damage done?
Will AJ Styles Retire At Royal Rumble?
AJ Styles admitted that 2026 was his final year. In a recent interview, he noted that his contract was up early in the year. It would make sense for AJ Styles’ latest contract to expire around the Royal Rumble, as The Phenomenal One debuted in WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble.
In that interview, AJ Styles noted there was a chance he would re-sign for a short deal, as it was so close to WrestleMania. This admission would sow a seed of doubt in viewers’ minds, leading them to wonder whether AJ will lose to Gunther or retire later in the year.
However, AJ Styles is set up pretty nicely to call it a career in January. After all, he’s made a few appearances for TNA. Plus, the star wanted to go out helping future stars. Over the last year, AJ Styles had a feud with Dominik Mysterio over the Intercontinental Title.
AJ Styles also won the Tag Team Titles with Dragon Lee, working with many younger Tag Team wrestlers. Now, he’s set to face Gunther, perhaps the most dominant heel since Brock Lesnar. If Gunther beats AJ Styles, he might be the one to retire Brock Lesnar, too. After all, there are rumors that Brock Lensar is retiring in 2026 as well!