WWE Monday Evening RAW happened on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Scotiabank Enviornment in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The present served because the go-home RAW forward of the Royal Rumble, which was set for August 31 in Saudi Arabia.
One of many key segments of the evening featured an look by AJ Types, who continued constructing momentum towards his upcoming Royal Rumble match towards Gunther. With the stakes already excessive, Types’ look on RAW introduced further consideration to a rivalry that had change into one of the crucial essential tales heading into the premium dwell occasion.
Types had already spoken publicly about retirement in latest months, and the Royal Rumble match carried a career-defining stipulation: if Types misplaced to Gunther, he can be pressured to retire from WWE. That looming chance made his look really feel like greater than only a promo, as followers in Toronto have been left questioning in the event that they have been watching the start of Types’ closing run.
This week’s WWE RAW opened up with AJ Types popping out for a promo. He obtained a heat welcome from Toronto, though it was freezing outdoors. Types welcomed everybody to RAW, after which he brougth up how Gunther thinks he’ll finish his profession on the Royal Rumble.
AJ Types fired again to say that his plan is that he’s not leaving WWE on the Royal Rumble. He could retire this 12 months, however he has different folks he needs to wrestle. Types additionally proclaimed that he needs to be World Champion yet one more time.
After making his level, Types stated that Gunther is sweet, however he’s not phemomonal. Then CM Punk got here out to greet him. Punk didn’t just like the sound of Types retiring, as a result of he needs to face Types in a WWE ring.
AJ Types stated that what CM Punk stated was disrespectful. Punk stated he’s being egocentric, if something. Types then stated that he is aware of he can beat Gunther and CM Punk. That led CM Punk to say that leaves him in an fascinating scenario, as a result of if he loses to Gunther, then Types can’t show he can beat him.
Then AJ Types stated if he can beat CM Punk tonight, and he can survive towards Gunther, then he’s the #1 contender for the title. Punk stated that he received his title on November 1, and he promised to be a combating champion. That’s when he made it a title match in Toronto tonight as an alternative.
When the time lastly got here for this match, followers in Toronto have been greater than prepared for the match. This was a detailed battle as followers stayed with the primary occasion match all the time. They chanted “that is superior” throughout the contest because the followers watched these two shoo-in WWE Corridor of Famers go head-to-head.
The match stored going, and CM Punk caught AJ Types as he tried for a sliding knee on the apron, so Punk hit a GTS on the skin. This didn’t finish issues, as they bought again in and AJ hit a Types Conflict for an additional close to fall.
As the 2 battled within the nook, Finn Balor jumped within the ring and nailed CM Punk with a shotgun dropkick. Balor wasn’t comfortable about getting snubbed from a Royal Rumble match spot. After that, Balor beat Punk throughout the ring to place the cherry on high of this case. He closed issues off by nailing a Coup De Gras, after which he taunted the followers earlier than nailing a second and third one to Punk’s ribs.
We are going to maintain a detailed eye on AJ Types at this level, as a result of 2026 would be the finish of his legendary in-ring profession. Solely time will inform what he does this 12 months to cap off his time within the ring, however followers in Toronto received’t neglect this World Heavyweight Title match any time quickly.
What’s your tackle AJ Types’ retirement run in WWE? Do you suppose he has one other title run left in him? Tell us what you suppose within the feedback part!