At the January 24 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, AJ Styles defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in what could be their final encounter.
Following this bout, Nakamura revealed in a diary entry that Styles had told him last year that the Royal Rumble 2026 would be the final match of his in-ring career.
With GUNTHER set to face “The Phenomenal One” in a career-threatening match, WWE will have to think about what they want to do with Styles on what might be his final Raw appearance on the January 26 episode.
Here are seven potential AJ Styles final WWE Raw plans.
7. Contract signing with GUNTHER
On the January 12 edition of WWE Raw, GUNTHER defeated AJ Styles thanks to phantom tap out and a low blow.
Then on the January 19 Raw, Styles challenged “The Ring General” to a rematch at WWE Royal Rumble 2026 with GUNTHER only agreeing if his rival puts his career on the line.
After Styles agreed to this bout, GUNTHER might want to get this in writing that AJ will be a man of his word.
WWE could have a contract signing for this highly anticipated bout on the Royal Rumble 2026 card this Saturday.
Click the next page button below for more
6. Rematch with Dragon Lee against The Usos for the World Tag Team Championships
Back on the December 29 episode of Monday Night Raw, The Usos defeated AJ Styles and Dragon Lee to win the World Tag Team Championships.
Since then, The Usos have been putting every tag team on the roster on notice, giving them warning to step up to the best duo in the company today.
One team that has not stepped up or even teamed since losing the titles is the pairing of Styles and Lee.
If the January 26 WWE Raw proves to be AJ’s last, Styles should reunite with Dragon Lee to get one last crack at the titles they held proudly on Monday nights.
Click the next page button below for more
5. Facing Bron Breakker
In 2025, AJ Styles made the move to Monday Night Raw and quickly found himself at odds with Bron Breakker.
Then-the Intercontinental Champion, Breakker tried to intimidate Styles, but “The Phenomenal One” was not willing to back down.
Despite having several different confrontations, Styles and Breakker never went one-on-one on WWE TV.
With Breakker set to make his return to speak with Adam Pearce on the January 26 edition of WWE Raw, the General Manager could give fans this bout with AJ Styles that they were denied last year.
Click the next page button below for more
4. Dream match with Je’Von Evans
When looking at new stars on the WWE main roster, Je’Von Evans is one that has drawn comparisons to AJ Styles.
With his high flying style and connection with the audience, Evans has shown signs of the in-ring brilliance that Styles built his legacy on.
On the December 13 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Styles teamed with Dragon Lee to defeat Evans and Leon Slater.
Playing on that previous tag team bout, WWE could deliver a dream match with Evans for Styles’ final WWE Raw that would please plenty of fans.
Click the next page button below for more
3. Facing the returning Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title
Throughout 2025, AJ Styles found himself on the hunt for Dominik Mysterio and the Intercontinental Championship.
Despite having more than one opportunity at wrestling away the gold, Mysterio was able to fend off the challenge from “The Phenomenal One” at WWE SummerSlam 2025 and in Paris on Monday Night Raw.
Over the past few weeks, Mysterio has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. However, “Dirty Dom” could make his return in time for WWE Royal Rumble 2026 and set up one final battle with Styles.
AJ Styles getting one last shot at the IC Title could serve as a great opportunity to put a bow on this rivalry with Dominik Mysterio and see the legend get one more title to add to his resume before he calls it quits.
Click the next page button below for more
2. One final match with Finn Balor
There are several stars on the WWE roster who have plenty of history as opponents and allies of AJ Styles.
However, Finn Balor may have the most unique connection to Styles. Both men have travelled all around the world with NJPW being one of their most notable homes where Balor and Styles both served as leaders of The Bullet Club.
Upon heading to WWE in 2015 and 2016 respectively, Balor and Styles have met inside the squared circle on several occasions in some of the most memorable bouts of either man’s runs in the promotion.
After his stellar performance against CM Punk on the January 19 WWE Raw, the company could call upon Balor again to be Styles’ final WWE Raw opponent in what could be another instant classic.
Click the next page button below for more
1. Challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship
Since AJ Styles might not get a formal retirement tour, WWE has limited time to build to a big title match for “The Phenomenal One.”
In what would be a surprise to many fans, CM Punk could choose that it is “now or never” to give Styles a title shot at the top prize on Monday Night Raw.
Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship could change the stakes and dynamic of Styles’ career threatening match at WWE Royal Rumble 2026.
Styles and Punk have everything it takes to deliver something truly special that will make this January 26 edition of WWE Raw one to remember for years to come.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…