Monday, January 26, 2026-At WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in Montreal, AJ Styles defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in what many fans and insiders are calling one of their most emotional and meaningful encounters in years.
The match delivered strong storytelling, technical wrestling, and callbacks to their long history dating back to New Japan Pro Wrestling and past WWE clashes. After the final bell, both veterans paused in the ring and shared a sincere moment of respect, exchanging a fist bump and a hug to acknowledge their shared careers and rivalry. The crowd responded with a standing ovation, underscoring the significance of the encounter for both competitors.
The atmosphere in the arena made it clear this wasn’t just another match it felt like a symbolic passing of the torch and a farewell between two of the era’s most compelling performers. Styles even incorporated nostalgic elements into the bout, including wearing his iconic mask from his early days, adding emotional weight for longtime supporters. Many saw the post‑match moment as a tribute to their storied careers and mutual respect, with neither rushing out of the ring instead taking that extra time to acknowledge one another.
This encounter carries added context because Styles’ career is widely believed to be winding down in 2026, with a high-stakes match against GUNTHER at the Royal Rumble looming that could determine his future in WWE. Nakamura’s recent social-media posts also suggested that Styles may have already decided the Royal Rumble will be his final match, making their Montreal sendoff even more poignant.
0 Comments