Could this Saturday mark the end of an era for AJ Styles? A cryptic post by Shinsuke Nakamura has wrestling fans buzzing with speculation that the Royal Rumble might be Styles’ final match. But here's where it gets controversial: Nakamura’s Instagram Story, now deleted, suggests Styles himself confirmed his retirement plans during a private conversation. Let’s break it down.
Just hours after their intense showdown at Saturday Night’s Main Event (where Styles emerged victorious with a Phenomenal Forearm and Styles Clash), Nakamura shared a reflective Instagram Story titled “The diary I wrote the day before.” In it, he reminisced about a speech Styles gave during WWE’s Australia tour in October, hinting that his career was nearing its conclusion. Nakamura claims he later asked Styles directly about his retirement plans while en route to a meet-and-greet in Japan. Styles’ alleged response? “The Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.”
This isn’t the first time Styles has hinted at stepping away from the ring. Nearly two years ago, in an interview with The Ringer before WrestleMania XL, Styles openly discussed his struggles with age and physical limitations. “I’m done. I’m going to retire,” he admitted. “My brain says, ‘We can do this,’ but my body says, ‘You’re stupid. We’re hurting every day.’ At some point, this has to come to an end.” These candid words, paired with Nakamura’s recent revelation, have fans wondering if the end is truly here.
Nakamura’s post also highlighted his deep respect for Styles, calling him “truly one of a kind” and praising his unmatched balance of expression and technique. He even requested one final match with Styles before his retirement, a nod to their legendary bouts in New Japan and WWE. Their recent clash at Saturday Night’s Main Event was a hard-hitting, Japanese-style classic, showcasing why both men are considered icons of the sport.
Styles’ current feud with Gunther adds another layer of drama. After Gunther disrespected John Cena in his final match, Styles stepped up to challenge “The Ring General.” Their rivalry escalated on the Jan. 12 edition of Raw, where Styles momentarily forced Gunther to tap out—only for the referee to miss it. Gunther retaliated with a low blow, securing the win. Last Monday, Styles demanded a rematch, but Gunther imposed a shocking condition: Styles must put his career on the line. After careful consideration, Styles agreed.
And this is the part most people miss: While Nakamura’s account seems convincing, plans in pro wrestling are notoriously fluid. Styles could have changed his mind since their conversation. Still, if Nakamura’s story holds true, Saturday’s match in Riyadh against Gunther could be Styles’ swan song.
What do you think? Is AJ Styles really retiring, or is this all part of the wrestling narrative? Let us know in the comments—and don’t hold back! This could be the most emotional Royal Rumble yet.
