With the Royal Rumble just around the corner, there is major speculation on AJ Styles and his future. The Phenomenal One is heading into a clash with GUNTHER and his iconic career on the line. This has led to heated discussions over retirement. The speculation only intensified when Shinsuke Nakamura piled on to the rumors. He put out — and then deleted — a social media post. The claim was that Styles told him he planned to retire at the event. This has led many fans to believe this weekend could be his final match.
Styles Retirement Speculation
These whispers align with a recent PWInsider Elite report. The outlet stated Styles was expected to “finish up before WrestleMania 42.” They noted the Royal Rumble was “one of the choices” for his final match. This narrative perfectly fits GUNTHER’s recent “Career Killer” persona. The Ring General has already defeated legends like Goldberg and John Cena in their respective retirement matches.
Bálor Character Shift
Meanwhile, CM Punk’s recent on-screen advice to Finn Bálor is creating new storylines. Punk told Bálor to think about his legacy. He suggested leaving The Judgment Day to become the World Champion. This has sparked fresh speculation about a major character shift. Punk framed Dominik Mysterio as “garbage,” holding Bálor back. Visible tension with members like Dominik and Liv Morgan supports this. A growing fan buzz around Bálor’s more sympathetic presentation exists. Many observers now see a possible split from the faction as realistic. Some even predict a full babyface turn and renewed singles push soon.
McIntyre Title Plans
On the championship front, Drew McIntyre’s latest WWE Championship win appears strategic. It is rumored to be the start of a sustained main-event run. Road chatter indicates he’s penciled in to continue as champion through WrestleMania 42. WWE is following suit, as Maverick’s bitter rivalry with Cody Rhodes continues on the Road to WrestleMania. Backstage speculation points to Rhodes returning to title contention differently. He could be steered into a major stipulation bout like the Elimination Chamber. This would refresh their dynamic beyond a Royal Rumble victory.
In other industry news, the new WWE 2K26 video game reportedly has a release date. It’ll be Friday, March 13, 2026, according to gaming insider Billbil-kun of Dealabs. On top of this, WWE is being urged to sign free agent Wardlow from Hall of Famer Bully Ray. He thinks the big man would benefit from a change of scenery after years at a standstill with AEW.the
