Roman Reigns Criticizes WWE Creative, Rumors on AJ Styles’ Retirement, Royal Rumble Surprise
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
Reigns Calls Out WWE Creative
During an appearance Friday on the Pat McAfee Show, Roman Reigns suggested that WWE creative hasn’t necessarily done him or others justice over the past couple of years.
Reigns noted that what he has done over the past two years “hasn’t exactly been the same” as what he did before when he held the world title for 1,316 consecutive days.
The Tribal Chief said he has given younger talent an opportunity to emerge before adding, “I leave an opening and give them plenty of space to create whatever type of superstardom they want. Get over, kids. … We’re two years here now. We haven’t advanced. We haven’t evolved. We have great leadership, [WWE president] Nick Khan, God bless him, what a businessman. He’s a genius. But we have to be able to keep up with that creatively.”
Reigns called the past two years “tough” for him, and he lamented others not capitalizing on the groundwork he laid.
He admitted to taking a step back at times to focus on family, but Reigns also said he feels like he is 25 years old despite being 40, and is “fully capable” of stepping back into the top spot.
Since dropping the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 nearly two years ago, Reigns has not been back in the world title picture.
He faced CM Punk and Seth Rollins in a Triple Threat in the main event of WrestleMania 41 last year, and she spent the rest of 2025 feuding with The Vision when he appeared.
Reigns wrestled only seven matches in 2025, though, and it is fair to wonder if his part-time schedule is primarily why he hasn’t been at the top.
All of that could change soon, though, as Reigns is entering the men’s Royal Rumble match on Saturday as the front-runner to win and earn a world title match at WrestleMania 42.
If that happens, he may very well be in line to return to the main event of Night 2 of WrestleMania against the world heavyweight champion in Punk or whoever holds the WWE Championship between Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn.
Styles’ WWE Future Reportedly Unclear
There is reportedly uncertainty within WWE regarding what the retirement stipulation for Saturday’s match between AJ Styles and Gunther at Royal Rumble could mean for Styles moving forward.
According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t H Jenkins of Ringside News), backstage sources are “split” on Styles’ future with WWE.
Styles went on record last year that 2026 would be his final year as an active, in-ring competitor, and it is possible Saturday could be his final match.
After a recent loss to Gunther, Styles tried to get him to agree to a rematch, but The Ring General would on do so if Styles put his career on the line. The Phenomenal One obliged, meaning a loss will end AJ’s WWE career.
That has led to a great deal of speculation that Styles could perhaps continue his wrestling career outside of WWE should he lose to Gunther, although no legitimate reports have pointed to that possibility yet.
Styles recently appeared on an episode of TNA, which is the company he is most synonymous with. During the show, he had a backstage encounter with Kazarian and stared at the TNA World Championship.
Fans have also speculated on Styles having a brief run in AEW in order to have matches against the likes of Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay and others.
On Thursday, Self Made Pro (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News) reported that Styles planned to join AEW last year before signing a one-year contract extension with WWE.
Fightful Select (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News) reported last year that the extension would keep Styles under contract with WWE until February 2026.
It is unclear if Styles’ deal has been extended beyond that, but if not, it could be possible that he becomes a free agent in a matter of days.
If the 48-year-old Styles decides to continue wrestling in WWE or elsewhere after Saturday, it isn’t likely to last long based on his declaration that he plans to retire in 2026, but his next move has fans talking nonetheless.
Top NXT Star Reportedly Expected for Rumble Appearance
NXT women’s champion Jacy Jayne reportedly could be in line for her first-ever appearance in the women’s Royal Rumble match.
According to PWInsider Elite’s Mike Johnson (h/t WrestlePurists), Jayne was originally set to be part of the NXT live event loop this weekend, but she instead traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is the location of the 2026 Royal Rumble on Saturday.
Jayne was conspicuous by her absence on Tuesday’s episode of NXT, as only her Fatal Influence stablemates Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid appeared.
The two-time and reigning NXT women’s champion, Jayne has collectively held the title for over 200 days dating back to last May when she initially won it.
Jayne dropped the title to Tatum Paxley in October, but she recaptured it less than a month later, beating Paxley at NXT: Gold Rush on Nov. 18.
In recent years, it has become commonplace for NXT wrestlers to appear in both the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches as surprises.
Given Jayne’s importance within the NXT women’s division, it makes plenty of sense for her to receive a big-time showcase at Royal Rumble.
