AJ Styles’ WWE Career Ends At the Royal Rumble

If this was Styles’ last match, it was a classic. WWE posted, “The Career Killer strikes again…”, referencing the fact that Gunther has now retired Goldberg, John Cena, and Styles.

The end of the match saw Styles try to fight out of several sleeper attempts, but ultimately, the official had no choice but to raise Styles’ arm and watch it fall. He called for the bell, and that was the end of a long and Hall of Fame career. After Gunther left the ring, Styles stood in the center of the squared circle and took his gloves off. He was prepared to lay them in the middle of the ring, but chose to put them back on, perhaps hinting he had changed his mind.

More likely, Styles just didn’t want to leave his gloves on the mat, and when he took a bow to the Riyadh, Saudi Arabia crowd, it still appeared to be a goodbye.

The WWE Universe and the live crowd were in shock. Many figured this could be his last match, but many also never thought AJ Styles’ run would actually end tonight. Wanting a full year to say goodbye, Styles goes out at the first big premium live event of 2026.

He delivered another incredible performance. Phenomenal right up to the final moment.

Ten unforgettable years in WWE, and so many more before that in TNA and New Japan. There truly will never be another like him. A once-in-a-generation talent, completely one of a kind, and without question one of the greatest to ever step into a ring.