Wrestling World Reacts to AJ Styles’ WWE Retirement at Royal Rumble 2026

TLDR

AJ Styles appeared to retire from wrestling after losing to GUNTHER in a career-threatening match at Royal Rumble 2026 on January 31, teasing leaving his gloves in the ring before putting them back on. Wrestling personalities including Will Ospreay, Omos, Scarlett Bordeaux, Chris Bey, and Drake Maverick posted tribute messages on social media following the match. Styles filed trademarks for his name and logo weeks before the Royal Rumble and is not currently scheduled to appear on Monday Night Raw.