• Update On AJ Styles After Retirement At The Royal Rumble
AJ Styles passed out to Gunther’s sleeper hold in a career-threatening match at Royal Rumble 2026 and lost. The Phenomenal One’s career is over and the former WWE Champion is officially retired.
On the Royal Rumble post show, Triple H confirmed that AJ’s in-ring career is over and said he hopes AJ will remain with WWE and contribute in a backstage role like Shawn Michaels.
According to PWInsider, AJ Styles will be at the WWE HQ this week. While it’s not confirmed what he’s there for, there’s speculation going on that he might be there to record a WWE podcast.
They also reported that Tiffany Stratton will be at the WWE HQ as well. The former WWE Women’s Champion returned during the Women’s Royal Rumble match and was the final woman eliminated.
RELATED: Fans Troll Shane McMahon Over AJ Styles Tribute Post
• Nikki Bella Reacts To Dating Rumors On RAW
Following Brie Bella’s high-profile return at the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, The Bella Twins reunited on Monday Night RAW in Philadelphia to make their intentions clear: they want the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship because they are the original women’s tag team.
The segment was a mix of nostalgia and modern-day tension. While the Philly crowd initially gave the twins a raucous ovation, Nikki Bella leaned into her heel persona when the energy shifted. After hearing scattered boos, Nikki took a sharp jab at the local fans, mocking the Philadelphia Eagles for their recent postseason failures.
The atmosphere took a humorous turn when the crowd began chanting, which Brie jokingly interpreted as “Coop” – a nod to Cooper DeJean, the Eagles’ star cornerback who is reportedly dating Nikki.
Rather than shying away, Nikki leaned into the gossip, sparking a massive social media reaction by essentially confirming her “good taste” in men.
“Can You Blame A Girl For Having Good Taste?”
– Nikki Bella After The Philly Crowd chants “COOP” for Cooper Dejean 🫣#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/UGYBfodzas
— #WeWantCody (@WeWantCody_) February 3, 2026
• Retirement Match Announced For WrestleMania 42 Weekend
The cane is coming down for the final time. In a move that bridges the gap between the golden age of hardcore and the modern independent scene, Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) has confirmed that The Sandman will officially retire this spring.
The 5-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion is scheduled to wrestle his final match at Joey Janela’s Spring Break X on April 17 during WrestleMania 42 weekend. The event, held in the neon glow of Las Vegas, serves as the perfect backdrop for a farewell from one of wrestling’s most chaotic figures.
While an opponent hasn’t been named yet, the mystery only adds to the hype of who will be the one to share the ring with the ECW pioneer for his curtain call.
Breaking…
As just announced at #GCWCrushed… extreme legend THE SANDMAN will wrestle his final match on April 17th at Joey Janela's Spring Break X in Las Vegas!
Tickets are On Sale NOW:https://t.co/XIuQlShKph pic.twitter.com/g3rG5jNvnv
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) February 1, 2026
The Sandman (age 62) last wrestled in October 2025.
• Michael Cole Says RAW Star Is Dealing With Injuries
Rey Mysterio didn’t appear on this week’s post-Royal Rumble edition of RAW, sparking fresh debate over whether the legendary luchador is actually hurt or just playing a part in a larger story.
While Michael Cole attributed Rey’s absence to injuries sustained during the Men’s Royal Rumble match in Riyadh, the reality is a bit more complicated. Rey entered the Rumble at the #4 spot but had a surprisingly short night, lasting less than three minutes before being tossed by Oba Femi. To fans watching closely, this quick exit seemed like a way to protect Rey, who had already entered the weekend under an injury cloud.
The concerns actually started a week earlier on RAW during his match with Austin Theory. After a rough landing, Rey was visibly hurt, and the referee even signaled the dreaded “X” as medical staff helped him to the back. Although he was healthy enough to make the flight to Saudi Arabia, his limited Rumble participation and subsequent RAW absence suggest he may be nursing a legitimate injury.
However, some insiders suspect the injury might also be a convenient creative pivot. By keeping Rey off the show, WWE could justify why he wasn’t there to support Penta during his battle against Bronson Reed.
