Gunther did what he said he was going to and ended AJ Styles’ WWE career at the Royal Rumble on Saturday. The Ring General added the Phenomenal One to his growing list of legendary wrestlers whom he has sent into retirement.
The crowd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, fell into stunned silence when Styles was unable to keep his arm raised and passed out in a sleeper hold. It was an emotional moment, but for Gunther, it only further cemented his status as the ‘career killer.’
Gunther’s Career Kill List: Potential Next Targets
Gunther cutting a promo on RAW
Gunther came into that match after retiring John Cena in December at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in December. That remains an extremely controversial finish, given he made Cena tap out.
The career-killer storyline began back in July when he made Goldberg pass out with another sleeper hold. It feels like WWE is trying to build a similar angle to that of The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak.
The question will now turn to who is next for Gunther following his win over Styles, and there are some intriguing veteran candidates to fall to the Ring General. The most obvious name is Brock Lesnar, given that it’s widely reported this will be his last year competing in the ring.
Cena previously suggested that Lesnar was going to go off into the sunset at SummerSlam in August. The PLE takes place in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and that might be the perfect way for the 48-year-old to retire and become Gunther’s fourth retirement victim.
Judging by the current roster’s contractual situations, it could be Rey Mysterio’s turn in late 2026. The WWE Hall of Famer’s previous contract was signed back in 2023 and expires later this year, per Fightful Select.
Mysterio has taken up a mentorship role with AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide since WWE acquired the Mexican promotion. The 51-year-old has endured recurring injuries in the twilight years of his career, and he could finish up against the Austrian, although Dominik Mysterio might be in mind for his retirement match.
Gunther Kill List: Who Else Could He Retire in Years To Come?
The current WWE roster is full of veteran names who could be added to Gunther’s kill list in years to come. Many of them have insisted they don’t intend on retiring anytime soon, so this could become a long-term angle akin to Taker’s Mania streak.
Sheamus is one of the company’s oldest performers at 47, but he is contracted until September 2029 (per Fightful) and wrote on X about embarking on a ‘Never f**king retiring’ tour. But the Irish star picked up a shoulder injury in December and will be out of action for the foreseeable future.
Gunther has already battled CM Punk and lost his World Heavyweight Championship to the 47-year-old at SummerSlam last year. Punk downplayed suggestions he was pondering retirement when watching Cena call time on his career in December.
Another possible addition could be Shinsuke Nakamura, who at 45 isn’t getting any younger. The Japanese star has suggested he intends to carry on wrestling for years to come, but it could be an option when he does decide his time has come.
Gunther chopping Randy Orton
Perhaps the biggest name aside from Cena to make Gunther’s list would be Randy Orton, who has been performing on a part-time schedule since returning in November 2023. The 45-year-old has spoken about wanting to continue wrestling into his fifties so he’s another possible retirement victim that would likely be on the cards further down the line.
The Miz is an interesting option at 45, and he hasn’t been a regular performer over the past year. But he seems happy to continue performing while also focusing on his family.
