AJ Styles calls GUNTHER’s WWE title push a ‘flop’: backs Nick Aldis vs. GUNTHER at SummerSlam 2026

AJ Styles has called GUNTHER’s lack of meaningful title follow-up a missed opportunity for WWE, and floated Nick Aldis as the man to finally dethrone the Austrian powerhouse at SummerSlam 2026.

What did AJ Styles say on his podcast?

Speaking on the latest episode of *The Phenomenally Retro* podcast, Styles admitted he doesn’t understand WWE’s long-term plan for GUNTHER. The former Undisputed WWE Champion has remained in the title picture since retiring Styles at the 2026 Royal Rumble, yet keeps falling short: most recently on 18 June at *Saturday Night’s Main Event*, where he and Sami Zayn lost to CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, costing GUNTHER another championship shot.

Why does AJ Styles think GUNTHER’s run has flopped?

Styles said fans have a point when they call the push a flop. “Yeah, I can see where you’re coming from,” he told the podcast. “But I mean, what do we do? We can’t just have him retiring people, you know? That’s not going to work, but there’s always the chance that he could.” Styles stressed that GUNTHER can’t retire every opponent, leaving WWE’s direction unclear.

Could GUNTHER still win the WWE title?

Styles argued WWE lacks a clear heel champion right now. “Is that the one thing we don’t have right now, is a heel champion?” he said. “With Seth and Roman, there’s no clear heel there. With Punk and Cody, no real heel there. These guys are huge stars, but I wouldn’t say they’re hated heels. GUNTHER is a hated heel.”

Will Nick Aldis beat GUNTHER at SummerSlam 2026?

Styles backed Nick Aldis to shock the world. “You’re right. I can’t see how Aldis could beat GUNTHER. I just can’t see it,” he said. “And dude, he’s a lot bigger than most people think. I mean, he’s as big as GUNTHER. He may be in better physically-looking shape than GUNTHER. I know it. He’s a big dude and he takes care of himself.”

What else did AJ Styles discuss on the podcast?

Styles also reflected on Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan’s brief TNA stint. He recalled hearing Bischoff dismiss the six-sided ring as a gimmick and argued the square ring actually makes bumps safer. “The squared ring is a much better place to bump than that six-sided ring,” he said. “But at the same time, that’s what separated us from everybody else.”

Styles closed by joking about Bischoff’s attempt to turn him into a Ric Flair clone. “I got a call from Bischoff wanting Ric Flair to be my mentor, and for me to get blonde hair and be little Ric Flair,” Styles said. “And I was like, ‘No, I’m not doing that. I’ll do a version of AJ Styles as Ric Flair.’”