AJ Styles made it clear that at some point in 2026, he’ll be hanging up his wrestling boots for good. Styles didn’t say when, and he reportedly doesn’t want a huge retirement tour like John Cena had. That said, it’s clear Styles will be heavily featured in 2026 as a competitor, and that all starts next Monday in Germany as Styles faces Gunther in what will be the first match of his final year.
AJ Styles Challenges Gunther to Step Up and Stop Being a B***h
Ever since Gunther made John Cena tap to end his career, the Ring General hasn’t stopped bragging about it. He’s been disrespectful, earning himself the ire of not just the fans, but the locker room and management. Once again, Gunther arrived at Raw, planning to boast about retiring Cena and making him give up, but he was stopped by Adam Pearce, who advised him to show the legend a little respect. Gunther laughed it off and made his way to the ring, where he noted he was told he needed to stop being disrespectful. Gunther opted not to take Pearce’s advice, however, as he came out and mocked John Cena with his new shirt showing the final moment of Cena’s career and the words, “tapped out like a…” You can figure the rest out. Gunther said he was the one who deserved respect for making Cena do what he said he never would, tap out like a little…enter AJ Styles.
AJ Styles and Cena don’t go way back, but the respect they have for one another is well known, especially after their epic battles from a few years back. With Cena gone, Styles has become the locker room leader, and he’s not been happy with Gunther running his mouth. Styles came out looking to stop Gunther, but every time he tried to speak, the Ring General belittled him. Finally, Gunther did the ‘You can’t see me’ gesture, mocking Cena, before asking Styles what ‘Little AJ’ was going to do about it. Styles and Gunther came face to face as Styles slapped Gunther. Styles said he didn’t think Gunther was going to do anything about that and then threw the mic at him before leaving the ring.
An incensed Gunther later confronted Adam Pearce, demanding to face Styles next week. Styles said Gunther didn’t need to cry to management to get the match. He could take action instead and stop being a “little bitch.” Gunther walked away furious as Pearce made the match official, and Styles told the boss he was going to rip Gunther’s head off.
Gunther and AJ Styles have battled six times previously, all at house shows. Their showdown next week in Germany will mark their first televised head-to-head. Styles has been on another level of late, winning the tag team titles alongside Dragon Lee and successfully defending them three times during their 70-day reign. Overall, Styles and Lee wrestled five matches between when they won the titles and dropped them to the Usos to end 2025, taking on all comers and redefining what it means to be fighting champions. Styles’ run with the tag titles was nice, but it only makes sense that on his way out, he does so in singles action. There is no shortage of dream matches left on the table for Styles, and facing Gunther is certainly one of them. It’s a great way to kick off his final year.
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