Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, RAW tonight, Finn Balor, Collision with the Tomasso Ciampa title change, the departure of AVA from NXT, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Tag: AJ Styles
Shane McMahon congratulates AJ Styles: ‘You set the bar’
Shane McMahon says that AJ Styles will go down as one of the greatest in-ring performers ever.
On Sunday, McMahon posted to Instagram about his WrestleMania 33 opponent, writing:
“AJ Styles will go down in history as one of the greatest in ring performers ever!
Thank you for your friendship and giving it your absolute best to entertain us all every single time you stepped through the ropes. You set the bar for current and future talent, let’s see if they can reach it. Congratulations on a Phenomenal career.”
McMahon’s post is available at this link and below.
Styles vs. Gunther at Saturday’s Royal Rumble carried the stipulation that Styles’ career was over if he lost. Following the match, it appeared as though he was going to leave his gloves in the ring, but he ultimately put them back on before exiting the ring area. This was addressed on Sunday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio by Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez.
“He does not leave his gloves in the ring. So of course, after the show all anybody could talk about was ‘When’s he going to AEW?'” Alvarez said on the show.
John Cena thanks AJ Styles: ‘Phenomenal is an understatement’
John Cena has nothing but praise for AJ Styles following his final match at the Royal Rumble.
Shortly after Styles lost to Gunther, Cena took to social media to thank Styles for his contributions to professional wrestling.
“Phenomenal is an understatement. Respect is earned and few are more worthy of universal industry wide respect than @AJStylesOrg. Thank you AJ for all you’ve done for wrestling. From anyone who’s seen you and those lucky enough to share canvas with you,” he wrote.
Styles lost to Gunther at the Royal Rumble on Saturday, passing out after being locked in a sleeper. It is somewhat similar to John Cena’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event last month where Cena tapped out to Gunther’s sleeper hold. That finish proved to be more controversial given Cena’s motto of never giving up.
Cena and Styles feuded with one another shortly after the latter joined WWE, wrestling each other multiple times from 2016 through 2018. They faced off for the final time last October, with Cena picking up the win in a match filled with tributes to previous opponents from their past.
Triple H: AJ Styles ‘made it very clear he was just done with the in-ring’
Triple H is saying that AJ Styles was done as an in-ring wrestler.
During the Royal Rumble post-show, WWE’s COO said that based on conversations he had with Styles, he had made it clear the Royal Rumble was it for him when it came to being an in-ring competitor.
“Obviously, we expected it later in the year. We had a lot of conversations about it. AJ is one of those people that absolutely wants to give back and be a part of this business,” he said. “I don’t want to speak for him but the conversations that he had with me, he made it very clear that he was just done with the in-ring. There’s a point where you just reach in your career where you say ‘I don’t want to do this anymore.’ And when your heart goes, no matter how good you are, he hasn’t lost a step…but when you say ‘I’m just at a place where I don’t want to do this anymore,’ it’s time before you get hurt, before you get told you’re not allowed to do this anymore. I think he was there.”
Triple H also hoped that Styles would continue to contribute to the business in a non-wrestling capacity.
“I’m hoping that he will contribute because again, he’s one of the most influential people in the business and one of the greatest minds in the business and I think when you see somebody like what Shawn Michaels is doing in NXT, I think that’s a path and career for AJ Styles, beyond this period that he’s in.” he said.
Styles wrestled his final match on Saturday, losing to Gunther at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although it was a competitive back-and-forth encounter, Gunther once again was able to take credit for another career after Styles passed out while in a sleeper hold.
Result of AJ Styles WWE Royal Rumble career-threatening match
The in-ring career of AJ Styles appears to have come to an end at WWE Royal Rumble 2026.
At Saturday’s PLE in Saudi Arabia, Styles lost to Gunther in a career-threatening match. The bout went nearly 25 minutes before Styles passed out in a sleeper, giving Gunther the win and seemingly ending Styles’ time in the ring. However, a moment that took place after the match raised some questions over whether this is really it for Styles.
Styles took in the support from a shocked Riyadh crowd after the bell rang. He then removed his gloves and went to leave them in the ring, but Styles instead put the gloves back on and posed for the fans. It was not clarified what Styles meant by the gesture.
AN EMOTIONAL AJ STYLES PUT HIS GLOVES BACK ON AFTER HEARING THE SUPPORT FROM THE FANS ❤️🥺 #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/utJD4WxgkX
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) January 31, 2026
It’s been known for months that the 48-year-old Styles would be retiring at some point in 2026. If this is the end, his final match came rather abruptly. Gunther used underhanded tactics to beat Styles when they faced off on the January 12 episode of Raw. WWE then ran an angle where Gunther forced Styles to put his career on the line in order to get a rematch.
Gunther — who has been nicknamed the “Career Killer” by WWE — had already retired both Goldberg and John Cena before defeating Styles today.
On January 28, Styles made a couple of trademark filings that have led to speculation about his next move and whether he could potentially continue his career in some form outside of WWE. He applied to trademark the term “The Phenomenal AJ Styles,” along with the “P1” logo that he’s used dating back to at least 2012.
WOL: Royal Rumble, a so so WWE SmackDown & wrestling pet peeves
It’s Wrestling Observer Live on a Royal Rumble Saturday.
For a go home show for one of the biggest PLEs of the year, Friday’s SmackDown was very much by the numbers. Does that bode well for Saturday’s Rumble card (ongoing as I type this)?
With WWE’s ‘less is more’ philosophy, it could be amazing or just three hours of disposable entertainment.
Plus, Tommaso Ciampa challenges Mark Briscoe on tonight’s AEW Collision, Ashley Massaro, and pet peeves that shouldn’t bother me but really do.
It’s a fun show so check it out.
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WOR: WWE Royal Rumble preview, AEW’s Alex Marvez talks Kim Wood
Dave Meltzer and I are back with the Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about the big news from today’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
AEW’s Alex Marvez joined us to talk about the life and times of Kim Wood.
Here were some of the things we discussed:
- Possible Royal Rumble winners
- AJ Styles and whether this is his last match or not
- Possible surprises
- AEW Dynamite ratings
- Simone Johnson’s status in WWE
- If booking wrestling today is easier or harder than in years past
Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube
WOL: Royal Rumble surprises, TNA Impact TV report, Dynamite, more!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with tons to talk about including best wishes to Braun Strowman, the Royal Rumble, many potential surprises, what talent have been told about photos this weekend, Dynamite notes, big date plus panel killing ratings, the Impact TV report, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Weekly: Royal Rumble predictions, a big win for Andrade, Kim Wood memories & stories
Image: AEW
It’s Royal Rumble weekend and on a new Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa make their picks for the big singles matches and speculate on who might show up for the men’s and women’s Rumble matches.
Additionally, they look at the AEW debut of Tommaso Ciampa and a big win for Andrade with another big match against Kenny Omega on the way.
They also spend some time talking about the late Kim Wood whose history in wrestling, football and the fitness industry is nothing short of remarkable.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
Nic Nemeth hopes to see AJ Styles in AEW after WWE retirement
In less than a few days, AJ Styles is set to have his potential retirement match against Gunther, but former WWE and TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth hopes to see Styles in AEW or TNA.
In a recent interview with Card Player, Nemeth opened up about his thoughts on Styles’ career and how he feels he is not done yet.
“AJ (Styles) is a special performer, and if this is the end of his run, he’s going out on top in all of our eyes and hearts and minds. And I’m glad I got to get a couple reps in there with him,” Nemeth said. “I hope even if he has finished full-time, we could have him part-time or bouncing around or in Japan or in AEW or TNA. I would love to see him, but if he’s calling it a career, he’ll probably become a part-timer or help backstage or something.”
Over the last week, Styles, 48, wrestled both Shinsuke Nakamura and CM Punk before his bout against Gunther at this Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.
AJ Styles files for two trademarks ahead of potential final WWE match
AJ Styles has made a couple of trademark filings that are sure to increase speculation about what his next move will be.
This weekend, Styles’ WWE in-ring career could come to an end at the Royal Rumble. He’s facing off against Gunther in a match where Styles will retire if he loses. Styles has filed for two trademarks ahead of the bout, applying for the term “The Phenomenal AJ Styles” on January 28 along with the “P1” logo he’s used during his career.
Allen Jones — which is Styles’ real name — is listed as the owner on both trademark applications. They note that Styles has used the “Phenomenal” nickname since at least 2001 and the P1 logo since at least 2012.
The trademark applications list that they are for goods and services related to performances by a professional wrestler, with the “P1” trademark also covering merchandise that Styles could potentially release:
- Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Providing online interviews featuring professional wrestler and sports entertainer in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes
- Shirts; Shirts and short-sleeved shirts; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts; Hats; Gloves for apparel; Slip-on shoes; Shorts
While these filings could indicate that Styles is preparing for the imminent end of his WWE career, it remains to be seen whether Saturday will actually be his last match. We know that Styles will be retiring at some point in 2026 –and Paul “Triple H” Levesque said this week that he’s been in regular communication with Styles about the opponents he wants to face before hanging up his boots. Styles has spoken about potentially remaining with WWE as a trainer after he’s done in the ring.
The Royal Rumble is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday with a start time of 2 p.m. Eastern for viewers in the United States.
Triple H has had discussions with AJ Styles about potential final WWE opponents
Paul “Triple H” Levesque has had discussions with AJ Styles about which opponents he’d like to face before ending his in-ring career.
While appearing on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike today, Levesque was asked if Saturday’s bout against Gunther at the Royal Rumble could really be Styles’ final match. Levesque kept kayfabe with his answer but noted that he’s had regular conversations with Styles about the goals he has for the remainder of his run.
“We’re going to have to see,” Levesque said. “You know, AJ Styles has not made it a secret this year, 2026, is going to be his last in-ring year. But he has a lot of goals and a lot of people — I know he’s with me every week making a list of people that he would want to face and that he wants to meet in the ring before he retires.
“But as Gunther was disrespecting John Cena about doing the one thing he said he would never do, which is quit or give up, Gunther made [Cena] do that in his final match. AJ Styles has taken offense to that. He put his career on the line against Gunther, saying that if he can’t beat him, if he can’t end this streak for Gunther, then he’s done.
“I, for one, hope that that doesn’t happen. I hope AJ Styles continues because he’s an incredible talent. But if it does, what an unbelievable run he’s had.”
Styles vs. Gunther is happening in Saudi Arabia on Saturday as part of the card for the Royal Rumble PLE. With Gunther having already retired Goldberg and Cena and now looking to do the same to Styles, WWE has filed a “Career Killer” trademark for Gunther’s new nickname.
If Styles makes it through Saturday, it’s unclear when his final match will take place. The only timeline he’s put on his retirement is that his last match will definitely happen in 2026.
WWE files trademark for potential new nickname
WWE has filed for the trademark “career killer” which could be related to Gunther’s new nickname.
On Monday, WWE filed for the trademark ahead of his match against AJ Styles’ in Styles’ possible retirement bout at Saturday’s Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
WWE filed an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the trademark, described as follows:
“Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment.”
In the past year, Gunther successfully retired Goldberg at Saturday Night’s Main Event and then John Cena at this past December‘s Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Doc Gallows praises AJ Styles as ‘the definition of professional wrestling’
Doc Gallows believes his good friend AJ Styles is someone who embodies everything great about professional wrestling.
While speaking with Undisputed, Gallows praised Styles ahead of his impending retirement. We know that Styles will be stepping away from the ring at some point in 2026, but that could potentially come as soon as this weekend. Styles is set to face Gunther in a career-threatening match at the Royal Rumble. If Styles loses, he will not wrestle again.
“AJ is the definition of professional wrestling,” Gallows told Undisputed. “He belongs in the same category as Hiroshi Tanahashi. It’s really only been the last decade that the WWE audience got to see AJ. There were those 18 years prior. The years in Georgia, putting TNA on his back in an era where they didn’t have a lot of recognizable faces. When the company then became flooded with wrestling superstars, AJ still stood head and shoulders above everybody else. That’s what happened everywhere he went.”
Gallows is hoping that Styles makes it through this weekend and gets a full WWE retirement tour. With Tanahashi and John Cena having just had their own final matches, Gallows would like to see things spaced out more.
“In my opinion, there has to be a retirement tour,” Gallows said. “As a fan, I wish we had more of this spread out. I wish we had the Tanahashi retirement run for a year. Then John Cena’s retirement tour the next year, then AJ’s. Karl [Anderson] and I are so busy with traveling to Japan that it’s hard to see everything, but with these retirements, it’s even harder.”
Gallows has previously been aligned with Styles in both NJPW and WWE. Now, Gallows and his tag team partner Karl Anderson are signed to Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan. Gallows told Undisputed that he feels NOAH is in a renaissance period — and there is an opportunity to gain ground on NJPW with Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI recently joining the NOAH roster.
“Naito and Bushi jumping to NOAH has caused a lot of rumblings. The Good Brothers joining is huge,” he said. “We’re scheduled to spend a lot more time there. We both have young kids at home, so there’s a difficulty with that, but we want to take NOAH to number one. We’re seeing another mass exodus from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, surrounded by the Tanahashi retirement. NOAH has a great opportunity to make noise right now and we’re excited to be part of it.”
CM Punk shares heartfelt moment with AJ Styles after WWE Raw
After WWE Raw went off the air last night, CM Punk and AJ Styles shared a heartfelt moment in front of the Toronto fans.
A World Heavyweight Championship match between Punk and Styles headlined Monday night’s show, ending in a disqualification when Finn Balor interrupted. It was Punk and Styles’ first time facing each other in a one-on-one match in more than two decades. Though they’ve had their issues in the past, the two have gotten over that and have developed a mutual respect for each other.
Punk and Styles spoke to the crowd after Monday’s broadcast ended, and Punk expressed appreciation for his former rival as Styles approaches what could be his final weekend as an active wrestler.
full punk and aj speech for yall lol it’s long! pic.twitter.com/p1KUr6J0b3
— lex 🧸 (@harryxgoldens) January 27, 2026
“Look, I don’t know what happens in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia when AJ Styles takes on Gunther. I just know that I’m going to be glued to the monitor watching just like all of you,” Punk said. “And I mean this when I say it. AJ, I whispered it to you earlier, I don’t care who knows it publicly — it has been a privilege to know you. It’s a privilege to call you a friend. It’s an honor to be in the ring with you. I speak as a fan, I hope Saturday’s not it. But if it is, man, what a hell of a career. I love you, brother. Thank you.”
Styles has confirmed that he will retire at some point in 2026. His final match could happen at the Royal Rumble this Saturday, with Styles agreeing to put his career on the line against Gunther at the PLE.
With the result of last night’s match, Punk heads into Royal Rumble weekend still holding the World Heavyweight Championship. The men’s Rumble match could potentially determine his WrestleMania 42 challenger.