AJ Styles WWE Return Opponent

At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, GUNTHER defeated AJ Styles to retire him from the company.

However, Styles removed his gloves post match and then proceeded to put them back on, signalling that he is not done wrestling officially.

After his claims to “never say never” to coming out of retirement, “The Phenomenal One” returning could lead to a number of intriguing matches that would make this second lease on life in wrestling a must watch for all fans.

Here are eight potential AJ Styles WWE return opponents.

8. GUNTHER

As previously mentioned, GUNTHER was responsible for AJ Styles’ retirement from in-ring competition after a win at WWE Royal Rumble 2026.

This rivalry with GUNTHER was quite new for Styles, having just started following his win over John Cena in his retirement match back at the December 13 WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Now known as “The Career Killer,” GUNTHER can take credit for ending the careers of Styles, Cena and Goldberg in short order over the past year.

If he is to make his return to the ring, it would make sense for Styles to challenge the man who ended his career in the first place and face GUNTHER one more time.

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7. Leon Slater

At the December 13 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee defeated Leon Slater and Je’Von Evans.

This became the first and possibly last time that Styles stepped in the ring to face off with TNA’s Slater.

Back at TNA Slammiversary 2025, Styles made an appearance in the company for the first time in 11 years and endorsed Slater after he became the youngest TNA X-Division Champion of all time.

While he is one of TNA Wrestling’s top stars, Slater feels like a no-brainer signing for WWE when he becomes available later this year and could be a tantalizing opponent for Styles if he were to step back in the squared circle.

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6. Je’Von Evans

Speaking of Leon Slater, Je’Von Evans has served as a friend and tag team partner for the TNA Wrestling star during his appearances on WWE TV.

This has led to Evans being a friend on-screen for Styles in backstage segments on Monday Night Raw.

During Styles’ final appearance on Raw, Evans teased wanting to face “The Phenomenal One” if he were to defeat GUNTHER at WWE Royal Rumble 2026.

Evans facing Styles would be a compelling clash of generations that could see “The Young OG” put his name on the map with a win over a former WWE Champion.

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5. CM Punk

On the January 26 episode of Monday Night Raw, CM Punk faced AJ Styles for the first time in a WWE ring.

This World Heavyweight Title match was abruptly ended thanks in large part to outside interference from Finn Balor.

After the inconclusive finish, it feels like Styles and Punk have unfinished business with one another.

If Styles were to return, Punk would have to be high on his list of potential opponents and would make for a great World Heavyweight Title main event at any premium live event.

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4. Cody Rhodes

Back in 2024, Cody Rhodes’ reign as Undisputed WWE Champion started with a rivalry with AJ Styles.

Through two amazing matches, Rhodes and Styles crafted a memorable feud with one another that cemented Cody as champion and reminded fans about just how good AJ still is.

“The American Nightmare” is someone who Styles teased having one more match with before he eventually retired at WWE Royal Rumble 2026.

Styles returning could lead to one more showdown with Rhodes that would be another reminder about the tremendous chemistry these two performers have with each other.

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3. Drew McIntyre

In 2020, Drew McIntyre was another WWE Champion who feuded with AJ Styles.

While the two men displayed some strong chemistry with each other, Styles and McIntyre were never quite able to have an official singles match against one another with their clash at TLC being interrupted by The Miz cashing in Money In The Bank.

Over the past six years, McIntyre and Styles have not crossed paths too many times, making these two going at it a relatively fresh matchup.

Now that he is the current Undisputed WWE Champion, McIntyre could be the perfect opponent for Styles upon his comeback, giving him one last shot at the top prize in the company.

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2. Randy Orton

Another former rival of AJ Styles who could step up for one more bout against him is Randy Orton.

Orton and Styles have clashed on several occasions, most notably at WWE WrestleMania 35 in 2019.

“The Legend Killer” still seems on the top of his game and could become Undisputed WWE Champion one more time despite being 23 years into his run in the promotion.

Whether it is for championship gold or in a rekindling of their rivalry, Orton would make a lot of sense as Styles’ first opponent if he were to make a return.

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1. Roman Reigns

During his first year with WWE, one of AJ Styles’ most notable rivals had to be Roman Reigns.

In two stellar in-ring encounters, Styles delivered two of Reigns’ best matches of his entire WWE career.

After these two bouts, Reigns and Styles have barely interacted with one another, not having one singles match in the 10 years since then.

Styles coming back could lead to a high profile showdown with Reigns that could easily headline any WWE premium live event in the near future.

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