Roman Reigns Critiques WWE Creative, AJ Styles Retirement Buzz, Royal Rumble Shock

Recent developments in the WWE Universe have raised eyebrows, especially with Roman Reigns’ critique of WWE creative. During his recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Reigns voiced concerns about the direction of storytelling in WWE. He underscored how the creative aspect has not evolved appreciably over the last two years.

Roman Reigns Critiques WWE Creative

Reigns highlighted that his recent performances have not mirrored his earlier success during his 1,316-day title reign. He noted that he has intentionally given younger talent opportunities to shine, saying, “I leave an opening and give them plenty of space to create whatever type of superstardom they want.” Yet, he lamented a lack of progress, emphasizing that, despite the good leadership under WWE president Nick Khan, the creative direction needs to keep pace with their business acumen.

Reigns described the past two years as “tough,” expressing disappointment about others not capitalizing on the groundwork he laid. Although he has at times focused on family, he feels more than capable of returning to his top-tier position, even at the age of 40. Since losing the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, Reigns has not been in the title picture. However, he is now set to compete in the upcoming men’s Royal Rumble, with expectations high as he aims for a match at WrestleMania 42.

AJ Styles Retirement Buzz

The uncertainty surrounding AJ Styles’ future in WWE has also garnered attention. A retirement stipulation for his match against Gunther at the Royal Rumble has left backstage opinions divided. Styles previously announced that 2026 would be his final year as an active competitor, leading to speculation that Saturday’s match could be his last.

• Styles challenged Gunther for a rematch only under the condition of risking his career.
• A loss would end Styles’ time in WWE, igniting rumors about his potential career outside of the organization.
• Recent interactions and appearances have fueled discussions regarding Styles possibly joining AEW or another promotion in 2026.

Reports suggest that Styles had plans to join AEW last year before signing a one-year extension with WWE. This deal is set to keep him under contract until February 2026. If no further extensions are made, he may soon become a free agent.

Royal Rumble Expectations

In another Royal Rumble-related note, reports suggest that NXT women’s champion Jacy Jayne is expected to make her first appearance in the women’s Royal Rumble match. Originally slated for an NXT live event, she instead traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the 2026 Royal Rumble will take place.

• Jacy Jayne has held the NXT women’s title cumulatively for over 200 days.
• She previously lost the title to Tatum Paxley but reclaimed it just weeks later.
• Her presence in the Royal Rumble would showcase her importance in the NXT women’s division.

As the Royal Rumble approaches, the spotlight remains on Reigns, Styles, and emerging stars like Jayne. The landscape of wrestling could shift dramatically, depending on the outcomes of the impending matches.