Nakamura Hints at AJ Styles’ Potential Royal Rumble Retirement
Shinsuke Nakamura recently hinted that AJ Styles might retire following his match against Gunther at the Royal Rumble. This revelation came after Nakamura’s Instagram Story, which has since been removed. In the post, Nakamura referenced a significant moment during a WWE tour in October, where Styles indicated he was considering retirement.
Nakamura’s Insights on AJ Styles’ Retirement
During a conversation on the way to a meet-and-greet, Nakamura asked Styles when he planned to retire. Styles reportedly replied, “The Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.” This statement suggests that the upcoming event could be pivotal for Styles’ career.
The topic of Styles’ retirement has been widely discussed over the past two years. Prior to WrestleMania XL in 2024, Styles expressed concerns about his ability to continue competing. He noted the physical toll wrestling takes on his body and acknowledged that he is “getting to that point” where retirement is becoming necessary.
A Historic Rivalry
- Nakamura mentioned wanting to face Styles one more time before his retirement.
- The two have a storied history, having battled in both New Japan and WWE.
- Nakamura praised Styles’ unique balance of expression and technique in the ring, calling him “one of a kind.”
The most recent encounter between Styles and Nakamura took place at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Styles won decisively with his signature moves. This victory built momentum for his upcoming match against Gunther.
AJ Styles vs. Gunther: The Stakes
Styles’ rivalry with Gunther intensified after Gunther forced John Cena to submit in Cena’s final match. Frustrated with Gunther’s disrespect, Styles challenged him. In a recent episode of Raw, Styles had a moment of triumph when he forced Gunther to tap out, but the referee was unable to see it, allowing Gunther to secure a controversial win.
Last week on Raw, Styles officially called for a rematch with Gunther. In a twist, Gunther has agreed to the rematch only if Styles puts his career on the line. After careful consideration, Styles accepted this challenge, increasing the stakes for the Royal Rumble.
Conclusion
If Nakamura’s statements hold true, the Royal Rumble could mark the end of AJ Styles’ illustrious career. As fans eagerly await this showdown, only time will reveal what decision Styles ultimately makes.
