WWE Royal Rumble 2026: 5 Nightmares That Could Come True

4. Gunther Does End A Phenomenal Career

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ARGH! Could AJ Styles really leave WWE on such a sour note? It's inconceivable to imagine that the 'Phenomenal One' will finish up with the company he's been with since 2016 at Royal Rumble. However, there are reports doing the rounds that Styles hasn't inked any extensions on a contract that'll run out in February. February!

As in, right after WWE gets back from Saudi.

This might mean that Gunther is going over decisively at the Rumble and this is bye bye to AJ. Surely he deserves something bigger than such a hastily-booked grudge match? The story, which sees Styles snarling at the Austrian's disrespect for John Cena, is a good one. It is, but this has still been a quick turnaround from their match on Raw a few weeks back.

Admittedly, there'd be nothing stopping Styles from working his own retirement tour over in TNA or elsewhere should he leave WWE following the next PLE. Further, there's no concrete date in February to cling to. Maybe AJ would get a big celebration bash on TV before walking out the door. Or, maybe there's nothing to worry about here at all and this is just one fan fretting.

That's possible too.

It'd be so odd to see Styles close out his WWE career like this though. Gunther doesn't need to claim another legendary scalp like he's some 2005 version of Randy Orton. Beating Goldberg and Cena was enough for the ex-World Champ. Let's not add AJ to that list so suddenly without careful thought.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.