Triple H and John Cena have both given their thoughts on AJ Styles losing to Gunther, forcing The Phenomenal One into retirement.
Speaking on the Royal Rumble post-show, Triple H admitted that although he expected Styles to have his final match later in the year, there comes a point where a wrestler believes they can’t compete anymore. The Chief Content Officer also noted that Stykes “made it very clear” that he was done from an in-ring standpoint:
“Obviously, we expected it later in the year. We had a lot of conversations about it. AJ is one of those people that absolutely wants to give back and be a part of this business,” he said. “I don’t want to speak for him but the conversations that he had with me, he made it very clear that he was just done with the in-ring. There’s a point where you just reach in your career where you say ‘I don’t want to do this anymore.’ And when your heart goes, no matter how good you are, he hasn’t lost a step…but when you say ‘I’m just at a place where I don’t want to do this anymore,’ it’s time before you get hurt, before you get told you’re not allowed to do this anymore. I think he was there.”
The Hall of Famer also added that he hopes to see Styles still contribute to the business in a non wrestling capcity, similar to what Shawn Michaels is currently doing in NXT:
“I’m hoping that he will contribute because again, he’s one of the most influential people in the business and one of the greatest minds in the business and I think when you see somebody like what Shawn Michaels is doing in NXT, I think that’s a path and career for AJ Styles, beyond this period that he’s in.”
Following Styles’ loss, John Cena put out a post on social media to pay tribute to one of his greatest WWE rivals:
Phenomenal is an understatement. Respect is earned and few are more worthy of universal industry wide respect than @AJStylesOrg. Thank you AJ for all you’ve done for wrestling. From anyone who’s seen you and those lucky enough to share canvas with you.
AJ Styles Enters Retirement Following WWE Loss
Styles put his career on the line at the Royal Rumble as he faced Guther. Despite his best efforts, Styles was choked out by The Ring General to the shock of the Saudi Arabian crowd. After the match, Styles teased taking off his gloves and leaving them in the ring, but he put them back on and posed for the fans one last time. Debuting for WWE back at the 2016 Royal Rumble, Styles cappedoff his career in the company 10 years later.
Later in the night, Gunther entered the Royal Rumble match at number 30, but was the last one to be eliminated by winner Roman Reigns.
Featured image: WWE
