Gunther Open to Facing AJ Styles Before 2026 Retirement

Gunther, the WWE's reigning powerhouse, has sparked speculation about a potential clash with AJ Styles that could hasten the veteran's planned retirement. In comments following his submission victory over John Cena at Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13, 2025, Gunther expressed openness to facing Styles, whom he has never competed against in the ring. The remarks came amid a tense confrontation between the two on the previous Monday's episode of Raw, where Gunther exited the arena after a prolonged stare-down, leaving fans anticipating a showdown.

Gunther's recent dominance includes forcing both Goldberg and Cena into retirement earlier this year, solidifying his role as a formidable force in WWE. Styles, a two-time WWE Champion known for his athletic prowess, has publicly stated that 2026 will mark his final year of in-ring competition. During a recent interview, Gunther addressed whether Styles might be next on his path, responding, "I don't really have a list, but yeah, AJ? Yeah, I never wrestled AJ before, and I think that would be a great one. Because AJ is definitely one of the best cruiserweight wrestlers in TNA history."

The reference to Styles' early career in...