AJ Styles’ WWE Future in Limbo After Royal Rumble Loss

TLDR

AJ Styles lost a career-threatening match to GUNTHER at the 2026 Royal Rumble, but his WWE future remains uncertain as contract negotiations were ongoing before the event with no agreement reached. According to PWInsider, Styles would be free to field offers elsewhere if his current deal lapses, though there are no internal rumblings suggesting he plans an in-ring return anywhere else anytime soon. On Stephanie McMahon's podcast, Styles explained he left his gloves on after the Royal Rumble loss because he's not fully ready to shut the door on his wrestling career, stating "never say never" about a potential return.