AJ Styles already made peace with retirement months agoat least, thats what Shinsuke Nakamura just revealed in a now-deleted Instagram Story thats blowing up the internet.
Styles will face GUNTHER at Royal Rumble 2026 in a career-ending match, where a loss means AJ walks away from wrestling for good. While most fans assumed the stipulation was just drama, Nakamuras message changes everything.
The reveal came from a diary entry Nakamura wrote and posted after their match on Saturday Nights Main Event on January 24. In the entry, Nakamura recalls a private conversation the two shared during WWEs October 2025 tour of Japan
That tour continued into Japan, where the two longtime rivals had a personal conversation on the way to a meet-and-greet event. Nakamuras reaction was one of disbeliefand he made sure to let Styles know he wanted one more match.
The post closes with Nakamura reflecting on their legendary 2016 match at Wrestle Kingdom 10 and the respect theyve carried through WWE. No promo. No press conference. Just a heartfelt admission that AJs end date was never a mysteryit was already marked on the calendar.
Royal Rumble 2026 goes down January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. If Nakamuras post holds up, that match with GUNTHER wont just be AJs last shotitll be the end of a legacy.
Do you believe AJ Styles is really retiring at Royal Rumble 2026? Or is this all part of the buildup for a shocking twist? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
