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John Cena thanks AJ Styles: ‘Phenomenal is an understatement’

Posted: Feb 1st 2026 By: Bryan Rose

John Cena has nothing but praise for AJ Styles following his final match at the Royal Rumble.

Shortly after Styles lost to Gunther, Cena took to social media to thank Styles for his contributions to professional wrestling.

“Phenomenal is an understatement. Respect is earned and few are more worthy of universal industry wide respect than @AJStylesOrg. Thank you AJ for all you’ve done for wrestling. From anyone who’s seen you and those lucky enough to share canvas with you,” he wrote.

Styles lost to Gunther at the Royal Rumble on Saturday, passing out after being locked in a sleeper. It is somewhat similar to John Cena’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event last month where Cena tapped out to Gunther’s sleeper hold. That finish proved to be more controversial given Cena’s motto of never giving up.

Cena and Styles feuded with one another shortly after the latter joined WWE, wrestling each other multiple times from 2016 through 2018. They faced off for the final time last October, with Cena picking up the win in a match filled with tributes to previous opponents from their past.