AJ Styles Looks Back On First & Last WWE Matches At Royal Rumble 2016 & 2026

AJ Styles had a full-circle WWE career, originally making his debut during the Royal Rumble 2016 main event as the third entrant before his final match in WWE took place ten years later, at the 2026 Royal Rumble, against GUNTHER. During an interview on the "WWE Vault," the wrestler took some time to look back on both events.

Styles noted that he learned he'd be debuting at the 2016 Rumble a week ahead of time. Going into the event, he was worried that nobody would know who he was. "The fans made it special for me. I mean, the reaction that they gave AJ Styles was — there's no comparison," he recalled. Styles also expressed that he wishes he had a more animated response during his debut, and chalked it off to probably trying to hold back tears. "Once the action started between Roman [Reigns] and myself, it was all good!" 

For him, that night ended when he was eliminated from the Rumble by Kevin Owens, but it wound up being the kickoff for a decade of Styles in WWE.

Styles later pivoted towards his final WWE bout against GUNTHER, and his decision to end his in-ring career at the same event where he debuted. "This is where I started. I didn't care where it was at, it's still the Royal Rumble no matter where it's at," he recalled, referencing the fact that the show took place in Saudi Arabia.

Styles then said that it was difficult walking out to the match knowing it was his last, and that he felt weird for a moment. "I know you're like: 'What's weird?' Second-guessing everything. Everything that you do, you're just like oh my gosh, and your brain's going a thousand miles per hour."

Styles then praised GUNTHER, describing him as the "perfect heel." He then explained why he appeared to contemplate leaving his gloves in the ring before putting them back on, which Styles acknowledged as confusing for some people. "I knew that WWE [was] gonna be in Atlanta three weeks from this moment — it'd be a good opportunity for me to drop my gloves then, so that's why," he explained.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit the "WWE Vault," and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.