One of AJ Styles’ former stablemates has reacted to “The Phenomenal One” hanging up his boots at WWE Royal Rumble 2026.
On Saturday, January 31, AJ Styles saw his legendary 27 year wrestling career put to an end at the hands of WWE’s “Career Killer” GUNTHER, with the Austrian forcing Styles to pass out due to a rear naked chokehold.
Karl Anderson, who was one of Styles’ closest allies throughout his time in NJPW and WWE, appeared as a guest on Busted Open and shared his thoughts on AJ’s career coming to an end – heaping praise on Styles’ impact and legacy within wrestling, as well as his character as a human being.
Anderson said:
“If this is the end of AJ Styles’ career, if AJ Styles is finished with his last match with GUNTHER in Saudi Arabia at the Royal Rumble, you’re going to miss out now on arguably the greatest in-ring performer of our time…
“…AJ Styles is on the Mount Rushmore of a lot of people’s Mount Rushmore. For people and kids who don’t who Ric Flair, John Cena and the Roman Reigns’ are, they grew up 2002, 2003, 2004 idolizing AJ Styles.
“If this is the end, we’re losing out on one of the greatest performers of all time and one of the greatest humans in the wrestling business.”
If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
Anderson was aligned with Styles during his time in charge of NJPW’s Bullet Club, before later forming The OC in WWE alongside Styles and Luke Gallows.
While there has been speculation among fans that Styles could perhaps continue his career outside of WWE, Peter Rosenberg stated on the Royal Rumble Post Show that Styles had affirmed to him that he was done competing in the ring, something Triple H also echoed later.
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…