AJ Styles is a WWE veteran and a legend in pro wrestling. He started his career in the industry all the way back in 1998. Just a few years later, he began competing for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) prior to the promotion shutting down.
In the time after that, AJ become a huge hit on the Indies and internationally. He was the face of TNA Wrestling for quite some time but also had success in Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling. He then joined World Wrestling Entertainment in 2016.
Since joining the promotion, The Phenomenal One has become a multi-time World Champion and a future Hall of Famer. Unfortunately, AJ is also 47 years old and his time as an active in-ring competitor is likely ending sooner rather than later.
Retirement, either from the industry as a whole or from World Wrestling Entertainment specifically, is on the horizon. This means Triple H and company officials need to decide who his last opponent might be. This article will take a look at a handful of names who could end The Phenomenal One’s WWE career.
#4. John Cena and AJ Styles could both retire in 2025
John Cena is arguably the biggest star WWE has had since the end of the Attitude Era. Not only is he a 16-time World Champion who carried the company for around a decade, but now he’s also a major star in Hollywood.
Just like AJ Styles, Cena isn’t getting any younger. Aware of that fact, The Franchise Player recently announced that 2025 will be his last year as a professional wrestler. Cena intends to have his last WWE match in December of next year and ride off into the sunset.
If AJ and John are both planning or need to retire soon, perhaps they could do so together. If Styles can hold on until December 2025, the two could go one-on-one in both men’s last matches ever. From there, the two legends can shake hands, hug, and retire.
#3. AJ Styles could challenge Gunther in his last-ever match
Gunther is a record-breaking champion. Since joining WWE, he has held three titles. The Intercontinental Championship and the United Kingdom Championship led to record-setting reigns. Meanwhile, he holds the World Heavyweight Title right now.
The Ring General has a massive opportunity ahead of him. Gunther will be going one-on-one with the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel. Whichever star wins will be rewarded the Crown Jewel Championship, thus making them the number one title holder in the company.
The powerful Austrian is a top star in the company now and will likey be in that position for years to come. He is also the perfect opponent for a legend winding his career down. Styles vs. Gunther would be an incredible match and it could tell a great story of whether AJ can defeat the unstoppable champion in his prime or fall victim to Father Time.
#2. Carmelo Hayes and AJ already have issues
Carmelo Hayes is another incredible wrestler, but he hasn’t even hit his prime yet. While Melo is currently on WWE SmackDown, he spent time on NXT where he won the brand’s top title and the North American Championship.
Interestingly, Hayes and AJ Styles recently crossed paths on WWE SmackDown. Upon Styles returning to television, Hayes mouthed off to The Phenomenal One. This led to a match where Styles unfortunately suffered a foot injury.
If AJ can return to the ring, it makes sense for Hayes and Styles to clash in what could be the latter’s last match. In what could be an unfortunate twist, however, AJ might never return to the ring.
If that’s the case, Carmelo is already the person to retire The Phenomenal One. Whether it will happen in the future or it has already, Melo would be a great and fitting final opponent for AJ.
#1. Bron Breakker is the future of WWE
Bron Breakker is another star who hasn’t hit his prime yet in WWE. The Monday Night RAW star is a former Intercontinental Champion, two-time NXT Champion, and he even held the NXT Tag Team Titles alongside Baron Corbin.
Currently, Bron is hoping to reclaim his prized IC Title. After previously having lost the gold to Main Event Jey Uso, Breakker will soon have a rematch where he might be able to get the championship back around his waist.
Given that Bron is undoubtedly the future of World Wrestling Entertainment, Styles vs. Breakker could be a fantastic way for the veteran to go out. AJ could put over The Big Bad Booty Nephew and help Bron reach new heights while also giving back in the biggest way possible.
