AJ Styles defeated longtime rival Shinsuke Nakamura in a singles match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, securing momentum before he puts his career on the line next week.
Styles entered the Bell Centre wearing a mask reminiscent of the one he wore for his match against Nakamura at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10 in 2016.
The match featured extensive technical exchanges, with Styles targeting Nakamura’s legs to set up the Calf Crusher. Styles locked in the submission deep in the ring, forcing Nakamura to bite Styles’ fingers to break the hold.
Nakamura retaliated with stiff strikes, including a sliding German suplex and a knee drop to Styles’ face. However, the damage to Nakamura’s leg proved pivotal; his knee gave out during a Kinshasa attempt, allowing Styles to hit a Kinshasa of his own for a near-fall.
COME ONNNNNNNNNN!!!! 🔥
Two of the best… one last time.
Take it in. pic.twitter.com/LoWtVYDKCt
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2026
In the closing moments, Nakamura countered a Phenomenal Forearm into a Michinoku Driver. After trading strikes, Nakamura missed a final Kinshasa and collided with the turnbuckle.
Styles capitalized by snapping Nakamura’s bad knee off the top rope, landing the Phenomenal Forearm, and executing the Styles Clash for the victory.
Following the match, the two veterans embraced in the ring. Styles is scheduled to challenge Gunther at the Royal Rumble, where he must retire if he loses.
