Brian Damage
This Week in Wrestling: Week 4 of 2026
Well, the Royal Rumble is upon us and while there is a lot of talk about who some of the surprise entrants will be for this year’s Men’s and Women’s matches…there is also talk of a match not involving the actual Rumble. That of course, is the match between Gunther and AJ Styles. If AJ loses, he will be forced to retire from WWE. Notice how I said WWE and not wrestling? That’s because there are rumors swirling that once AJ’s contract expires in February, he will be AEW bound.
Now say what you want about AJ Styles, he is one of the true good guys in professional wrestling. I haven’t heard or read a single bad thing about him…ever. While his career is certainly winding down, he still has a lot left in the gas tank as proven with his excellent match against Shinsuke Nakamura on last week’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. AJ has done everything there is to do in WWE, but there are still a lot of dream matches that Styles could have outside of WWE’s bubble.
Imagine AJ vs Kenny Omega in a battle of former Bullet Club leaders. AJ vs Will Ospreay, AJ vs Swerve Strickland etc.. Considering AEW’s connection with New Japan, you could easily see him reappear there and wrestle guys like Yota Tsuji and Zack Sabre Jr. There is a lot of money to be made if AJ decided to become All Elite. Some WWE fans feel it would be a major betrayal on his part, but I certainly don’t see it that way.
As stated before, AJ is one of the true good guys in pro wrestling and I wouldn’t blame him for going to AEW and having a few of these dream matches on a limited schedule. I have no doubt that Tony Khan will pay him well and take care of him. If 2026 truly is the end of the road for AJ Styles, why not go out with a bang? AJ Styles is a true star and AEW having him will be a big deal. That’s if the rumors are all true, but keep in mind that he registered trademarks on his name and logos this week. It seems inevitable and would be phenomenal.
Photo Gallery
Rest in Peace Beverly Foley aka Mick Foley’s mom
Interesting back tattoo
A very cool pic of Dustin Runnels very first wrestling match.
The classic Shawn Michaels pose done by independent wrestler the Black Dahlia
Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
Stacy Keibler
Bea Priestley
Trish Stratus
Thea Hail
Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee and Penta
Nattie pisses on the WWE grave of Natalya
Thekla
Video Gallery
Commercial for New Japan World…