AJ Styles’ legendary WWE career came to a heartbreaking end at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, The Phenomenal One tapped out to Gunther in a retirement stipulation match.
With the loss, Styles must officially retire from WWE competition, per the terms of the match. On the other hand this marks the second career Gunther has ended in as many months, following his decisive victory over John Cena.
Post-match, Styles took his gloves off and was going to leave them in the ring. Instead, he put the gloves back on and did his signature hand gesture to the crowd before leaving the ring. Styles then went back into the ring to sign off to the audience one last time.
It was in 2016 at the Royal Rumble where Styles debuted for WWE.
