AJ Styles is taking control of his final WWE run, personally choosing opponents before his planned 2026 retirement.
Triple H revealed on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike podcast that Styles meets with him weekly to build a list of dream matches. One confirmed bout sees Styles putting his career on the line against Gunther at the 2026 Royal Rumble.
He has a lot of goals and a lot of people — I know he’s with me every week making a list of people that he would want to face and that he wants to meet in the ring before he retires," Triple H said.
Styles' decision to face Gunther stems from the Ring General's recent disrespect toward John Cena. The high-stakes showdown adds massive intrigue to Styles' farewell tour.
With his career at stake, Styles aims to check off key goals in his final year. WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H emphasized Styles' hands-on approach to curating these matches.
