Follow on Google News AJ Styles may be running out of time at the top of WWE, and GUNTHER wants to force that reality even faster. During WWE RAW today, GUNTHER made it clear that AJ Styles will only get his match at Royal Rumble if he is willing to put his entire career on the line, instantly raising the stakes of their rivalry.
Styles has been open for months about the idea that his in-ring career is approaching its final chapter. Earlier this year, during an appearance on The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast, he described retirement as a celebration of nearly three decades inside professional wrestling rather than something to fear.
That mindset has shaped how Styles approaches everything he does. He has said repeatedly that he wants to walk away on his own terms, healthy, upright, and without an injury deciding the end for him. For Styles, controlling the final chapter matters as much as the matches themselves.
Inside WWE, that reality has not gone unnoticed. The company has reportedly been structuring 2026 as a farewell year for Styles, lining up meaningful programs and high-profile opponents before his contract reaches its conclusion at the end of the year.
But GUNTHER is not interested in farewell tours.
Last month, the former World Heavyweight Champion proved exactly how far he is willing to go. At Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, he forced John Cena to submit with a sleeper hold in what became Cena’s final match. Seeing the face of “Never Give Up” tap out sent a shockwave through the industry.
GUNTHER embraced the moment fully. In interviews afterward, he called retiring Cena “the biggest, most meaningful win” of his career. He later shared a video package of the submission on Instagram with the caption “Pro Wrestling > Sports Entertainment.”
The message was clear. GUNTHER believes he is the man who ends legends.
GUNTHER Sets the Terms for Royal Rumble
RAW from The SSE Arena in Belfast opened with GUNTHER addressing the crowd. The reaction was hostile as he confirmed his entry into the 2026 Royal Rumble match, set for January 31 in Saudi Arabia.
AJ Styles quickly interrupted and demanded a one-on-one match at the event. Still frustrated by how their encounter ended last week, Styles wanted another chance against the champion.
GUNTHER initially shut the idea down. From his perspective, Styles had already received his opportunity and failed to capitalize on it.
Styles refused to back down. He continued to press the issue, needling GUNTHER and escalating the tension in the ring. After a long stare-down, GUNTHER finally shifted his stance.
He agreed to the match under one condition. If AJ Styles loses at Royal Rumble, his WWE career is over.
The stipulation carries enormous weight given everything Styles has said about 2026 potentially being his final year. He wanted to choose when and how that moment arrives. Now, GUNTHER is threatening to take that decision away from him entirely.
GUNTHER knows what pressure feels like on the Royal Rumble stage. He still holds the record for the longest single run in the match at 1 hour, 11 minutes, and 40 seconds, breaking Rey Mysterio’s previous mark. Surviving chaos is part of his identity.
If he ends up competing in both the Royal Rumble match and the bout with Styles, GUNTHER would be taking on an exhausting workload in one night. Based on everything he showed throughout 2025, that challenge is unlikely to concern him.
AJ Styles is now cornered by his own request. He can accept the stipulation and risk everything he has left, or he can walk away from the fight he demanded in the first place.
What do you think AJ Styles should do? Share your thoughts in the comments and keep following The Wrestling Reports for more updates as this story continues to unfold.