WWE simply raised the stakes forward of the Royal Rumble—Nick Aldis has personally invited AJ Types to SmackDown this week in Montreal, and it may very well be AJ’s closing cease earlier than his profession is on the road.
On January 22, 2026, WWE uploaded a video to Twitter that includes SmackDown Basic Supervisor Nick Aldis, who issued the formal invitation in mild of Types’ upcoming match with GUNTHER. The match—now set for the Royal Rumble on January 31 in Saudi Arabia—may finish AJ Types’ profession if he loses.
“Earlier than he places his profession on the road on the Royal Rumble, I’d wish to take this opportunity to formally invite AJ Types on SmackDown this week. In spite of everything, SmackDown is the home that AJ Types constructed. My door is all the time open, AJ. Give it some thought.”
The storyline has intensified rapidly. Throughout this week’s RAW in Eire, GUNTHER opened the present and confirmed that he’ll be getting into the 2026 Royal Rumble match. However AJ Types had different plans—popping out to problem The Ring Basic to a one-on-one match as an alternative.
GUNTHER initially declined, claiming there was no motive to face Types once more. Nevertheless, the Intercontinental Champion later modified his tune, telling AJ he’d solely settle for the match if Types put his profession on the road.
GUNTHER isn’t any stranger to Royal Rumble dominance—he holds the report for longest time in a standard Rumble match at 1 hour, 11 minutes, and 40 seconds. Now, he could also be pulling double responsibility: getting into the Rumble and dealing with Types in what may very well be a career-ending bout for The Phenomenal One.
With SmackDown airing this Friday from Montreal, all eyes are on whether or not AJ Types will present up—and what he’ll need to say in regards to the greatest gamble of his profession.
WWE SmackDown January 23, 2026 Full Card
- Nathan Frazer vs. Johnny Gargano
- #1 Contenders Match for WWE Ladies’s Tag Staff Championships: Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. Kiana James & Giulia vs. Charlotte Aptitude & Alexa Bliss
- WWE Tag Staff Championships: Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. MFT
- Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest
- AJ Types Invited
Will AJ Types settle for Aldis’ invitation and seem on SmackDown? And extra importantly… is he able to danger all of it on the Royal Rumble? Tell us what you consider this brewing scenario within the feedback beneath.