AJ Styles Beats Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE SNME, Prepares for Retirement Match

February 2, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport
AJ Styles adn Shinsuke Nakamura in the ring

AJ styles Defeats Shinsuke Nakamura in Potential Final Match Before Retirement

AJ styles secured a victory over Shinsuke Nakamura on the January 26th episode of WWE SmackDown, a match that could be a notable stepping stone towards a potential retirement bout for the veteran superstar. The win adds another layer to their long-standing rivalry and fuels speculation about Styles’ future in professional wrestling.

The match itself was a hard-fought contest, showcasing the athleticism and technical prowess both wrestlers are known for. Styles ultimately prevailed, earning a pinfall victory after a thrilling sequence of maneuvers. The crowd responded enthusiastically, acknowledging the history between the two competitors.

Rumors of Styles’ impending retirement have been circulating for months. He has openly discussed the physical toll wrestling takes on his body, and recent reports suggest he’s considering a final match at WrestleMania XL. Nakamura is being heavily speculated as his opponent for that potential farewell match.

This victory over Nakamura doesn’t guarantee Styles will face him at WrestleMania, but it certainly strengthens the narrative. WWE has been subtly building towards this storyline, highlighting Styles’ career accomplishments and acknowledging his contributions to the industry. A match against Nakamura would be a fitting end to a remarkable career, given their history of classic encounters.

Styles and Nakamura have faced each other numerous times throughout their careers, delivering memorable matches in both WWE and New japan Pro-Wrestling. Their contrasting styles – Styles’ high-flying offense and Nakamura’s strong style – consistently create compelling and exciting contests.

Key Takeaways:

  • AJ Styles defeated Shinsuke Nakamura on WWE SmackDown.
  • The win potentially sets up a retirement match for Styles at WrestleMania XL.
  • Nakamura is the frontrunner to be Styles’ final opponent.
  • Styles has hinted at retirement due to the physical demands of wrestling.
  • The two wrestlers have a long history of delivering high-quality matches.

While WWE hasn’t officially announced anything, all signs point towards a significant declaration regarding AJ Styles’ future in the coming weeks. fans are eagerly anticipating confirmation of his retirement and the opportunity to see him compete one last time.