WWE just raised the stakes ahead of the Royal Rumble—Nick Aldis has personally invited AJ Styles to SmackDown this week in Montreal, and it could be AJ’s final stop before his career is on the line.
On January 22, 2026, WWE uploaded a video to Twitter featuring SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, who issued the formal invitation in light of Styles’ upcoming match with GUNTHER. The match—now set for the Royal Rumble on January 31 in Saudi Arabia—could end AJ Styles’ career if he loses.
“Before he puts his career on the line at the Royal Rumble, I’d like to take this chance to formally invite AJ Styles on SmackDown this week. After all, SmackDown is the house that…