“Did he lie?” – WWE veteran confused after AJ Styles’ retirement segment at the Royal Rumble

WWE star AJ Styles seemingly retired at the 2026 Royal Rumble. Veteran wrestling manager Jim Cornette is still confused over how the segment panned out during the show.

Styles faced off against Gunther in a singles match with his career on the line. He passed out as the Ring General caught him in a Sleeper Hold, forcing the ref to call the match in favor of Gunther. After the encounter, AJ removed his gloves, signifying his retirement, but quickly put them back on before exiting the ring.

During a recent episode of Jim Cornette’s Drive Thru, the veteran manager felt WWE was sending mixed signals with the whole retirement angle. Cornette was confused because AJ Styles almost left the gloves in the ring and then put the gloves back on, hinting that he was still not done.

“Well, I’m getting mixed signals sent to me. They gave him a big ovation after Gunther left the ring. Fans are singing for AJ and everything, and he makes a production out of taking his gloves off, and the fans are like, ‘No, no, no!’ But then he put his gloves back on. What does it mean? Did he lie? He left the ring, and then he came back and posed on a turnbuckle. He didn’t take his boots off. I guess the gloves were gonna be the boots. He took the gloves off, but then he put the gloves back on. Has he changed his mind? Is he gonna say, ‘I just don’t want to leave you now’? That would be kind of kabukish.”

Roman Reigns shared a message for AJ Styles

Tributes and heartwarming messages have poured in for AJ Styles after his retirement. Several WWE stars and veteran congrulated him on a successful career in the business.

The 2026 Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns also shared a message for Styles. The OTC said that he was a true team player and complimented AJ’s work ethic. He felt The Phenomenal One was a talented and disciplined superstar and one of his video game friends.

While using the quotes please credit Jim Cornette’s Drive Thru and add an H/T to Sportskeeda.