Shane McMahon Praises AJ Styles After Royal Rumble Career Match – Shane McMahon publicly praised AJ Styles following what was billed as the final match of Styles’ in-ring career at the 2026 Royal Rumble. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, McMahon reflected on Styles’ legacy and their shared history, calling him one of the greatest performers the business has ever seen.
McMahon and Styles previously faced each other at WrestleMania 33, a match that helped define Styles’ early WWE run after joining the company. In his post, McMahon focused on Styles’ consistency, professionalism, and long-term impact on the industry. He wrote, “AJ Styles will go down in history as one of the greatest in ring performers ever! Thank you for your friendship and giving it your absolute best to entertain us all every single time you stepped through the ropes. You set the bar for current and future talent, let’s see if they can reach it. Congratulations on a Phenomenal career.”
Styles’ Royal Rumble match against GUNTHER carried significant stakes, as it was contested under the stipulation that Styles’ career would be over if he lost. The match ended with GUNTHER defeating Styles, forcing him to pass out while trapped in a sleeper hold. The finish immediately fueled discussion among fans due to its finality and the symbolism often associated with career-ending matches.
Following the loss, Styles remained in the ring and appeared ready to leave his gloves behind, a traditional gesture often used to signify retirement. Instead, he ultimately put the gloves back on before exiting the ring area. That decision quickly became a focal point of fan conversation, with many viewers debating its meaning. Some fans questioned whether the moment left the door open for future appearances elsewhere, while others viewed it as a personal choice rather than a signal of anything to come.
The gloves moment, combined with McMahon’s tribute, added another layer to an already emotional night. While WWE presented the match as the end of Styles’ career, the post-match details ensured continued discussion long after the Royal Rumble concluded.
McMahon’s comments reinforced the respect Styles commands across generations and roles within wrestling, from active performers to executives and legacy figures. Regardless of what the future holds, Styles’ body of work remains widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential in modern wrestling history.
Shane McMahon Praises AJ Styles After Royal Rumble Career Match
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