The wrestling world was left stunned as AJ Styles’ iconic WWE journey seemingly reached its climax at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh. But here’s the twist: his future remains shrouded in mystery. After a heart-wrenching loss to GUNTHER in a career-on-the-line match, Styles’ next move is anyone’s guess. PWInsider.com reports he’s not scheduled for this Monday’s Raw, leaving fans and insiders alike scratching their heads about what’s next for The Phenomenal One.
Styles had openly declared 2026 as his final year in the squared circle, and the Royal Rumble was widely speculated to be his grand farewell. WWE even embraced this narrative, building up to what felt like an inevitable goodbye. Yet, in a post-match moment that tugged at heartstrings, Styles toyed with leaving his gloves in the ring—only to pick them back up. And this is the part most people miss: the story doesn’t feel fully resolved.
With a career spanning WCW, TNA, NJPW, ROH, and WWE, Styles has left an indelible mark wherever he’s stepped foot. His resume is nothing short of legendary: a two-time WWE Champion, IWGP Heavyweight Champion, TNA World Champion, and a cornerstone of TNA’s X-Division. Recently, he reignited rivalries with CM Punk and Shinsuke Nakamura, fueling speculation that his final WWE match was on the horizon. But is it really the end?
Here’s where it gets controversial: Styles recently filed trademarks for his ring name and logo, sparking rumors that he might not be done with wrestling just yet. Could we see him in another promotion like AEW? Or will he transition behind the scenes? Or perhaps he’ll walk away entirely, leaving his boots to gather dust? The possibilities are endless, and the wrestling community is buzzing with theories.
Is AJ Styles truly stepping away, or is this just the beginning of a new chapter—one that unfolds outside WWE’s spotlight? What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s debate: Is this the end, or is there more to come for The Phenomenal One?
