WWE has officially announced a huge stipulation match for the 2026 Royal Rumble PLE.
After scoring a controversial win against AJ Styles on last week’s episode of WWE RAW, Gunther opened this week’s episode and gloated over his victory. He also declared himself for the 2026 men’s Royal Rumble match.
However, AJ Styles interrupted him and made it clear that he has no plans of moving on after losing to Gunther last week. He challenged The Ring General to a rematch at WWE Royal Rumble. While Gunther initially refused, saying he didn’t want to do double duty at the PLE, he gave Styles an option.
Gunther told Styles that if he wants a match against him at the Royal Rumble, he should put his career on the line. After seeing Styles battling with his thoughts, the Ring General gave him until the end of the show to give him an answer.
WWE RAW General Manager Adam Pearce tried to talk AJ Styles out of accepting the stipulation backstage. However, after discussing with his wife, Styles approached Pearce later during the show and let him know that he is ready to put his career on the line. Pearce then made the match official for the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble.
AJ Styles confirmed last year that 2026 would be his final year as an in-ring competitor. While fans expected The Phenomenal One to embark on a retirement tour like John Cena, it appears Styles might end his WWE career at the same event where it began a decade ago.
