AJ Styles and the Art of the “Oops” Instagram Post
Every now and then, the wrestling gods—or perhaps just a slip of the thumb—gift us a nugget of information that sends the internet into a tailspin. Last weekend, it was Shinsuke Nakamura playing the role of the accidental town crier over AJ Styles’ match last weekend.
In the afterglow of what many are calling a modern classic at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Nakamura took to Instagram to share a little diary entry. It was sentimental, it was sweet, and it was deleted faster than a Seth Rollins fashion choice we all regret. Why? Because it seemingly confirmed that AJ Styles is hanging up his boots at the 2026 Royal Rumble.
Now, before we start fantasy booking the retirement party, let’s look at the facts, the feelings, and why this particular leak hits harder than a Phenomenal Forearm.
The Leak Heard ‘Round the World
Here is the breakdown. Nakamura posted a story titled “The diary I wrote the day before.” In this digital confessional, he recounted a conversation with Styles during a WWE tour in Japan. According to Nakamura, he asked the million-dollar question: “When are you going to retire?”
Styles’ alleged response? “The Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.”
And just like that, the timeline shifted. We knew the end was coming. Styles has been telling anyone who would listen—from The Ringer to random interviewers—that his body is writing checks his bumps can’t cash. He’s 48 years old. He’s been putting on clinics since the days when WCW was still a thing. But hearing a specific date? That makes it real.
Nakamura, realizing he perhaps shouldn’t have aired private locker room talk to his millions of followers, scrubbed the post. But the internet is forever, and screenshots travel faster than light.
Why The Royal Rumble Makes Perfect Sense
If this is true, there is a poetic beauty to it that you just can’t script—even if you’re Triple H.
Styles made his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble. I remember it vividly. Roman Reigns was in the ring, the buzzer hit, and suddenly, the “Phenomenal One” appeared. The Orlando crowd lost its collective minds. He wasn’t supposed to make it in WWE. He was the “TNA guy,” the “Japan guy.” And yet, there he was.
Retiring exactly ten years later, at the 2026 Royal Rumble, brings his WWE journey full circle. It’s a decade of dominance, multiple world championships, and proving every doubter wrong. Walking away at the same event where he walked in? That’s storyteller gold.
The Gunther Factor
This adds a whole new layer of spice to his upcoming match. Styles is set to face Gunther in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Gunther, for those keeping score, is currently on a “Legend Killer” run that would make Randy Orton blush. He just retired John Cena last month.
The storyline is simple but effective: Gunther disrespected Cena, AJ Styles took offense, and now Styles is putting his career on the line to teach the Ring General a lesson.
If Nakamura’s leak is accurate, we aren’t just watching a match; we’re watching a swan song. We’re watching one of the greatest in-ring performers of our generation possibly stare at the lights for the last time against the man who represents the future.
A Legacy of Excellence
It is hard to process that we are at the finish line. Styles has been the reliable benchmark of quality for twenty years. He’s the guy you put in the ring with a broomstick to get a four-star match.
He told us his body hurts. He told us he doesn’t want to be the guy who stays too long and embarrasses himself. And honestly? I respect that. Too many wrestlers hang on until the magic fades. Styles seems determined to go out while he can still hit a Spiral Tap (okay, maybe just a Springboard 450) with grace.
So, if the Royal Rumble is indeed the end, thank you, AJ Styles. And thank you, Shinsuke, for the accidental heads-up. At least now we know to savor every second of this match.
