AJ Styles WWE Return Opponent

WWE

At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, GUNTHER defeated AJ Styles to end the legendary career of “The Phenomenal One.”

Despite this loss, Styles re-signed with WWE as a talent scout, coach and recruiter for the company.

While he has stated that he is done with his in-ring career, Styles has opened the door for a potential return to the squared circle sometime in the future.

Here are eight potential AJ Styles WWE return opponents.

8. GUNTHER

To kick off 2026, AJ Styles started a rivalry with GUNTHER that saw the two men battle one another on two occasions.

In their two contests, GUNTHER was able to score the win over “The Phenomenal One” with his second victory marking the end of Styles’ career.

While GUNTHER has earned the moniker of “The Career Killer,” Styles could come back and look for some revenge on his rival.

Styles stepping back in the ring to take down “The Ring General” could lead to a truly memorable showdown worthy of the illustrious career of the former two-time WWE Champion.

7. Je’Von Evans

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

This marked the one and only time that Evans and Styles have stepped inside the squared circle against one another.

Evans has showcased his respect for Styles and looks at him as someone who has inspired him throughout his own young career.

If Styles decides to step back in the squared circle, it would be appropriate to see “The Phenomenal One” facing off with Evans in a first time ever singles showdown.

6. Dragon Lee

During his final months as an in-ring competitor, AJ Styles formed a partnership with Dragon Lee.

Styles and Lee won the WWE World Tag Team Champions and proved themselves as fighting champions.

Since becoming a duo, Lee has adopted some of the moves of his former tag team partner, including the Styles Clash.

Styles returning to in-ring action should lead to the two former partners clashing with one another in what should be a potential showstealer.

5. Jacob Fatu

Since retiring from in-ring competition, several WWE stars have shared how AJ Styles helped them in their careers.

One of those such stars was none other than Jacob Fatu, who shared a story of Styles’ advice to him during their time together in WWE.

Fatu has since become one of the most prominently featured stars on the WWE roster today and is currently embroiled in a feud with his cousin Roman Reigns over the Undisputed WWE Championship.

If Styles wants to help those on the rise in WWE, he does not have to look that far and clash with Fatu in what would be an intriguing contest between the two.

4. Bron Breakker

Another WWE star who has certainly been on the rise as of late is Bron Breakker.

At just 28 years old, Breakker has pegged as a future world champion and WrestleMania headliner.

The former two-time Intercontinental Champion once found himself in the crossfire of AJ Styles looking to get a shot at his gold.

After that previous meeting never took place, WWE could finally deliver Breakker and Styles clashing against one another if AJ steps back in the ring.

3. CM Punk

On the January 26 edition of Monday Night Raw, CM Punk and AJ Styles took part in an impromptu World Heavyweight Championship match.

This highly anticipated bout was abruptly interrupted by Finn Balor who attacked Punk to cause a no contest.

If AJ Styles decides to step back in the ring as a competitor, he should take care of some unfinished business with “The Best In The World.”

“The Phenomenal One” returning could see Styles clashing with Punk in a rematch that many fans have wanted to see for years since their days in Ring of Honor together.

2. Roman Reigns

When AJ Styles first arrived in WWE back in 2016, he really made a name for himself in his new home by facing Roman Reigns.

In a series of matches, Styles and Reigns showed off instant chemistry with one another with stellar performances time in, time out.

However, Reigns and Styles have not stepped back in the ring in a singles match in over a decade now.

Rekindling this highly touted feud, Reigns could be the man waiting for Styles upon his in-ring return that would headline any major WWE show.

1. Oba Femi

There is no other new star on the WWE roster that has gained momentum on the level of Oba Femi right now.

“The Ruler” cemented his name as WWE’s biggest breakout star by defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 Night Two.

This win became even bigger when Lesnar took off his gloves and boots to signal that he had decided to retire as a result of the loss to Femi.

With Oba now instituting his own open challenge, this could see Styles coming out of retirement to answer the call and test “The Ruler” on just how good he can be in the squared circle.

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