Shinsuke Nakamura may have spoiled the result of AJ Styles’ match against Gunther at this Saturday’s Royal Rumble.
Nakamura and Styles have a long history together starting with their time in NJPW leading rival factions The Bullet Club and Chaos.
In a now deleted Instagram post, Nakamura wrote:
During last year’s Australia tour, at a house show in Melbourne, AJ gave a speech after the match.
Listening to it, it was clear he was thanking the fans. But somehow, it also felt like he was hinting that retirement might not be that far away.
The tour continued to Japan, and before the shows there, I asked him something.
We were in a van on the way to the meet and greet.
I asked him, “When are you going to retire?”
He answered, “The Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.”
Me…
…!!!
Whether I actually said it out loud or just thought it for a split second, I’m not sure. But I remember it clearly.
“Before you retire, I want to wrestle you one more time.”
AJ nodded.
Before the match started, he showed me something he had written on his phone.
It was a message he wanted to say to the Japanese fans.
He asked me to turn it into proper Japanese. It talked about his anxiety and excitement when he first came to Japan, and his gratitude toward Japan for accepting him.
It was, without question, a farewell message.
As his voice, I gave that speech in Japanese, putting as much emotion into it as I possibly could. That was the moment when his retirement finally started to feel real to me.
Even though it was still a little further down the road compared to guys like Cena or Tanahashi, I found myself imagining the enormous sense of loss that would eventually come.
Ten years ago.
2016. Tokyo Dome.
It was our first ever singles match.
That match was later praised all over the world, and not long after, we both left New Japan Pro Wrestling and came to WWE.
We never talked about our futures with each other.
I think we just happened to make huge decisions at the same time.
In America, I was just pushing forward without thinking.
I finished NXT and reunited with AJ on the main roster.
AJ, on the other hand, took over WWE like a fish in water.
He brought a new wind everywhere he went.
Honestly, I remember thinking, “Yeah, that figures.” Our reunion moment at Money in the Bank.
My Royal Rumble victory, and then our singles match at WrestleMania.
I don’t think any of that would have happened if A hadn’t pushed it. I still have some regrets about what happened after our WrestleMania match. but the final match of that rivalry, our singles match at Money in the Bank in Detroit.
Is actually one of my favorite matches even so.
He’s straightforward, easy to read, and impossible to hate.
His everyday clothes are terrible, and he’s got that Southern American accent.
What a lovely American.
Yet, when it comes to professional wrestling, his balance of expression and technique is the best in the world.
Truly one of a kind.
I don’t say it out loud, but I rely on him.
I respect him. Even though we don’t actually know each other as deeply as people might think,
to me, he’s special. Almost like a brother and a best friend, in my own way.
Now…
Our final match awaits.
My last chance to give him the perfect send off.
Do your best, me.
Pro wrestling gods, please be kind.
According to the post though, that was Styles’ comment last year. Has the booking changed? Fans will see at the Royal Rumble.
The matches signed for the Rumble are:
Men’s Royal Rumble match
Women’s Royal Rumble match
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn – Undisputed WWE Championship Match
AJ Styles vs. Gunther – Career Threatening Match
