Five opponents WWE can plan for AJ Styles' retirement match

AJ Styles could be soon bidding farewell to his in-ring career

Wrestling can be painful. Take the case of AJ Styles, who returned to SmackDown after a four-month hiatus, only to be back on the injury list in his first match. The former TNA star has suffered from a Lisfranc Fracture and is reportedly set to miss months of action.

At 47 years of age, AJ Styles does not look to have many matches left in him, particularly after getting hurt in the square circle repetitively. However, it does seem like the former WWE champion has one last gasp of air left in him. Who shall be the one to compete against Styles in his last hurrah? Here, we take a look at the top five possible opponents.

5. Gunther

Surprisingly, AJ Styles and Gunther have not competed against each other in a televised match. Although, they have locked horns at a live event for the Intercontinental championship. WWE always likes to pit two superstars who are at the exact opposite ends in terms of career path.

What better way than to pit ‘The Phenomenal One’ against ‘The Ring General’? Needless to say, Gunther will prevail should this encounter take place in the future. It could be a way for Styles to pass on the symbolic torch to the Austrian.

4. Cody Rhodes

The former TNA original member has already challenged Cody Rhodes twice for his WWE title and has lost on both occasions. One can almost assume that the American Nightmare is unlikely to lose his coveted strap anytime soon, so any match-up with Styles could be for the championship.

The Stamford-based promotion could advertise any such title clash as the former TNA champion’s last shot at capturing the WWE title. The Gainsville native could make this possible storyline with Rhodes believable through his impeccable mic and ring work.

3. Randy Orton

What enthralls a WWE fan more than two old-fashioned veterans going at it in a slugfest? Perhaps not much. Booking Styles to compete against fellow stalwart Randy Orton could make the former’s swansong from WWE feel like a big event.

Granted, the two have had countless battles in the past, but a last one for the bragging rights has the potential to bring the roof down.

2. CM Punk

The CM Punk vs AJ Styles match has been ticked off for those keeping track of such dream encounters. However, the sad part is the two maestros faced off a handful of times in Ring of Honor way before they were the real deal.

Having conquered the world of WWE and TNA for years during their illustrious careers, the fans of both veterans would want nothing more than to see them fight it out in a WWE ring. If the Triple H regime does greenlight Punk as the final opponent of Styles, the fans will get to witness a masterclass seldom seen in a squared circle.

1. John Cena

AJ Styles has admitted to being smitten by John Cena‘s shockingly good ring acumen, a facet of The Cenation Leader’s repertoire he was not so sure of in the past. Ever since Styles entered WWE, his numerous instant classics against Cena have been everything a wrestling fanatic expects from a dream clash.

The only grudge that many fans have is that they do not get to behold these two accomplished performers against each other anymore. Well, we may absolutely be in the last chance salon, given that Cena has already announced his retirement tour in 2025, and Styles is in his last innings. A battle of the greats of the 2000s in 2025? Yes, please!

The adaptability of AJ Styles as a performer is well known, and it is perfectly possible for him to dazzle the ring with any of these wrestlers mentioned on the list. The WWE universe would hope that former WWE tag team champion’s career lasts a bit longer, but if this is it, any of these grapplers would do a stellar job as Styles’ final adversary.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.