After WWE Raw went off the air, CM Punk addressed AJ Styles‘ potential retirement at the Royal Rumble.
In the main event of the January 26th edition of Raw, CM Punk put the World Heavyweight Championship on the line against AJ Styles, in what could be the Phenomenal One’s last shot at gold. Unfortunately, the bout was cut short when Finn Balor entered the ring and attacked Punk, causing a disqualification. Balor continued the assault after the bell rang and ended the show with three Coup de Grace on Punk.
After the show went off the air, Styles took a microphone to tell Punk he was grateful that the two had been able to share the ring. Punk hugged Styles, then turned to his possible retirement when he puts his career on the line against Gunther in Saudi Arabia. After saying he doesn’t know what will happen in the match, the World Heavyweight Champion let Styles know it was a privilege to be able to call him a friend.
“Look I don’t know what happens in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia when AJ Styles takes on Gunther, I just know that I’m going to be glued to the monitor watching just like every one of you.
“I mean this when I say it, AJ, I whispered it to you earlier: I don’t care who knows it publicly, it has been a privilege to know you. It’s a privilege to call you (a) friend, it’s an honor to be in the ring with you.
“I speak as a fan, I hope Saturday’s not it, but if it is- man, what a hell of a career. I love you brother, thank you.”
full punk and aj speech for yall lol it’s long! pic.twitter.com/p1KUr6J0b3
— lex 🧸 (@harryxgoldens) January 27, 2026
Will AJ Styles Retire At The Royal Rumble?
According to a now-deleted social media post, AJ Styles told Shinsuke Nakamura he had chosen the Royal Rumble as the site of his retirement. It has since been reported this lines up with expectations within WWE that The Phenomenal One will hang up his boots after taking on Gunther in Saudi Arabia.
The event would be fitting as it marks a decade since Styles made his WWE debut at the same event in 2016. Despite coming in from runs in smaller promotions like TNA and NJPW, on that night, the crowd gave Styles a huge ovation when his name appeared on the screen. Since then, he has gone on to become a top star and decorated veteran in the company as well as a sure bet for the WWE Hall of Fame.
H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.
