Gunther has opened up about retiring AJ Styles at WWE Royal Rumble 2026, and why it held more value for him than retiring John Cena.
In 2025, Gunther retired major names, Goldberg and John Cena. Two big moments resulted in two major careers ending. But in 2026, he did not stop after retiring such legends. He shifted focus and set his sights on AJ Styles. The match had huge stakes. Styles lost and was forced to retire after passing out.
Now, the former World Heavyweight Champion explained why Styles’ retirement meant more to him. He pointed toward the nature of the match and the challenge involved.
Gunther explains why his match with AJ Styles meant more than facing John Cena
Speaking on WWE Retrospective, Gunther explained that Styles’ situation felt different than John Cena.
“I always had so much respect for AJ’s work. It almost kind of felt like, from the wrestler purist heart, that felt almost more important for me than the Cena match. But on screen being able to rub it in and try and ruin that last run he has was so much fun. That’s the beauty of it because with Goldberg and Cena everyone knew it was their last match. AJ’s such a skilled wrestler that you kind of can do everything with him. Very creative guy as well.”
“Just running him into the barricade a few times at that point. It was easy, it was fun. I was able to lose myself. And also the crowd was really good that night too. Saudi, anyway, every time we’re in Saudi Arabia, the crowd is fantastic. Then once it was over, just a reaction of disappointment to it.”
Gunther also gave props to the referee in the match, noting how his reaction made things even better.
“So if the referee is disappointed, that means something. So that’s the beauty of it, because with Goldberg and Cena, everybody knew it was their last match. And I think with AJ, people weren’t too sure that it’s gonna be his last match. I think a good, good chunk of them expected AJ to win and carry on with his career. But yeah, he went out on his own terms. I think that’s something a lot of the wrestlers don’t manage, and just come back again and leave and come back again.
“And I think that’s something I kind of want to achieve for myself too, is like, it’s always best to go at a point where people are still gonna miss you. And not at a point where you go like, Ah, it was time. So yeah, hat off to AJ. Great career. Fantastic wrestler, but I took it away. What can I do?”
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