2025 was the ultimate roller coaster ride for WWE fans. It revolved around John Cena’s retirement tour, whose end was a mixed bag for the entire Cenation. Although it did produce some amazing moments, it was from WWE’s best year. It was also easily the most underwhelming under Triple H’s creative regime.
However, fans are hopeful for a better 2026, and the company is off to a decent start. Drew McIntyre winning the WWE Championship was a welcome move. Roman Reigns’ Royal Rumble victory was well-received. The first phase of the Road to WrestleMania has a reasonable degree, but there is a long road ahead.
Nonetheless, Hunter has made a few controversial and questionable booking decisions. On that note, let’s look at 3 mistakes Triple H has already made in 2026.
#3. Triple H Rushed AJ Styles’ Retirement
The WWE Universe was already reeling from John Cena’s emotional retirement, but fans now have to contend with AJ Styles’ retirement. The Phenomenal One put his career on the line against Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026, on the same PLE where he made his iconic debut a decade ago.
After a hard-fought battle, the Ring General put Styles to sleep with the sleeperhold, adding another legend to his growing list and cementing himself as “The Career Killer.” Although rumors were swirling around of a potential comeback, it appears as if the Phenomenal One has indeed retired from in-ring competition.
WWE rushed Styles’ mini retirement run. It never felt like a proper farewell run, especially when it initially felt like the Phenomenal One would have a full tour. Fans wanted Styles to win the World Championship one final time and battle with the likes of Cody Rhodes, Bron Breakker, and Jacob Fatu.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be as Styles’ contract expired on February 1st and he retired at the Royal Rumble. Although a month was too short a time to celebrate such a prestigious career, Triple H could have scheduled Styles in intriguing matches in the final few episodes leading to his retirement.
Since it all happened so abruptly, fans felt as if his WWE run ended in the most anticlimactic way possible, which is why so many are struggling to get closure.
#2. The Men’s Royal Rumble Match Fell Flat
The Royal Rumble match is one of the most intriguing concepts in professional wrestling. It has had a reputation for surprises and unexpected shenanigans. The 2025 Men’s Rumble was star-studded and loaded with several viral moments. However, a controversial winner in Jey Uso tarnished the overall reception to the bout.
This year, fans were satisfied with the decision to make Roman Reigns the Men’s Rumble winner. However, the match itself failed to deliver and fell flat. There were no legitimate surprises. Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy were rumored for surprise returns, but they were nowhere to be seen.
The lack of surprises and pops
Royce Keys, El Grande Americano, and LA Knight were surprises. Other than Knight, no one got a real pop. Nonetheless, the Megastar wasn’t really a surprise because he had been out for only two months, and fans expected him to show up. Aside from the lack of surprises, a few booking decisions are questionable, too.
Fans were baffled by WWE’s decision to eliminate Brock Lesnar, one of the key players, during Jey Uso’s entrance. The WWE Universe let out a massive groan when Gunther, who had retired AJ Styles earlier in the night, entered as the final entrant. The Saudi audience barely reacted to most of the competitors, and the energy was missing.
Hunter could have remedied this by adding more familiar names to the mix. Carmelo Hayes, Aleister Black, and Shinsuke Nakamura were nowhere to be seen. They could have generated some excitement. Furthermore, announcing key names like Oba Femi before the eventual match was also a questionable move, as WWE didn’t have many surprises.
#1. The Road to WrestleMania Feels Unclear for many
As of now, only one major match has been confirmed for WrestleMania 42. Roman Reigns, the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble winner, will battle CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. There’s still plenty of time left till The Show of Shows, but there appears to be no clear direction for many of WWE’s top stars.
“The Career Killer,” Gunther has been on a tear, but he has no clear path to Mania. It doesn’t appear as if he will be challenging for a World Championship. Also, Triple H doesn’t have many veterans remaining. The WWE Title scene is also a mess, but Hunter appears to be building towards a rematch between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
The Vision is embroiled in a feud with the “mystery attacker.” Something that remains to be seen is how that will translate into a WrestleMania program. Randy Orton has qualified for the Men’s Elimination Chamber. However, few expect him to win, which calls his Mania plans into question, too.
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