Gunther has addressed the possibility of being the wrestler to retire AJ Styles, following recent speculation sparked by their on-screen interaction.
Speaking on The Masked Man Show, Gunther said he does not keep a list of opponents he wants to retire, but admitted that a match with AJ Styles would be appealing. The comments come after the pair shared a tense stare-down on Raw, with The Ring General leaving the arena shortly afterwards.
The Austrian star noted that he has never faced Styles before and believes it would be a strong matchup, praising Styles’ body of work earlier in his career. He added that while there is no specific plan, he would be open to the idea if the opportunity presented itself.
“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.”
Gunther already has a reputation for ending careers, having previously defeated Goldberg and most recently submitting John Cena in Cena’s retirement match. Those victories have fuelled discussion around his role as a dominant force on the WWE roster.
During the interview, Gunther also spoke about his ambition to be WWE’s top heel. He said he believes the company needs a clear antagonist, someone who stands in the way and gives others a mountain to climb. Gunther added that he sees that role as his responsibility and feels he is well-suited to embody it going forward.
While no match has been announced, Gunther’s comments suggest that a potential showdown with Styles remains firmly on the table.
Have Gunther And AJ Styles Wrestled Together Before In WWE?
Yes, Gunther and AJ Styles have had matches against each other in WWE; however, none of them have been televised, as they all took place on house shows. Their first encounter took place on a holiday tour on December 17, 2022, where Styles defeated The Ring General by DQ in an Intercontinental Title match.
Their last encounter to date took place on March 16 this year at a Road to WrestleMania house show, where Gunther defeated Styles in a Steel Cage Match to retain the World Heavyweight Title.
