The WWE Royal Rumble left the majority of the fans asking two questions. Who was the hooded man who attacked Bron Breakker? And what did AJ Styles mean when he put his gloves back on in the middle of the ring after his retirement match with Gunther?
Well, the first question has already been answered, with fresh reports emerging detailing who exactly was the man that attacked Breakker and cost him his chance at winning the Rumble. And now, it seems like the second question has been answered too, by none other than the man himself, AJ Styles.
The wrestling veteran shared the ring with retirement specialist Gunther at the Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and after being caught in a rear naked chokehold, he simply passed out, giving The Ring General the win and adding another name to his already stacked resume of retirees.
Gunther has now ended Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles’ careers, but it was what the latter did after their match that got most of the WWE Universe talking about asking questions.
AJ Styles’ Glove Gesture After Royal Rumble Match
After regaining consciousness from the submission, Styles soaked up the adulation from the WWE fans in Riyadh, basking in his retirement moment in the middle of the ring.
Then, he did what all wrestlers and fighters do after their last match: He took off an item of clothing to lay it in the middle of the ring. However, after he took off his iconic gloves, he seemed hesitant to place them on the canvas. After a few seconds of consideration, he then decided to put the gloves back on and hit his signature pose for the fans in attendance.
This led to many questions after the show. Is AJ Styles retired? Is he just retiring from in-ring competition? Is he retiring from WWE and going elsewhere?
After the Premium Live Event, Triple H actually provided an update about Styles’ future, and discussed what he thinks is next for The Phenomenal One. Now, though, the man himself has spoken out about the gloves gesture and what it truly meant.
Styles Reveals All About Royal Rumble Glove Gesture
Styles has been a recent guest on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast, and she asked about what his actions at the Royal Rumble truly meant.
In response, the veteran said: “I don’t know. Never say never, right? That’s the saying. I think everybody’s allowed at least once to come out of retirement. What if my son wrestles? The opportunity to tag with him once, you never know.
“I’m not saying that I’ll do it anytime soon. There’ll be a time when the gloves never go back on. It may be now, but we’ll see.”
So, it seems that the gloves gesture was to signal that the end is near, but it may not be here right now. A case of watch this space for The Phenomenal One.
Arsenal are facing a fight to keep hold of defender Piero Hincapie, as ESPN reports that Real Madrid have made enquiries about signing the Ecuadorian international this summer.
However, with centre-back problems lurking in the background for the Spanish giants, they are back shopping in the Premier League, and are looking to swipe a star from the Gunners.
Real Madrid Want Piero Hincapie
After failing in an attempt to sign Calafiori, Real Madrid are looking at Arsenal star Hincapie, as ESPN reports that enquiries have been made over a deal.
It comes as Los Blancos want a left-footed centre-back, with moves elsewhere in the backline set to free up a space for the position this summer.
Any deal looks difficult, however, as Arsenal are set to make Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen permanent this summer with a £45 million clause in his deal.
That’s not to say a move isn’t possible, but the Gunners would likely be hesitant to let the 24-year-old leave without at least banking a significant profit on a switch to a Champions League rival.
Having already sounded out Hincapie, the report adds that Real Madrid have also enquired about Ruben Dias, Alessandro Bastoni, and Nico Schlotterbeck – though the latter is now unlikely to move due to an injury sustained at the World Cup with Germany.
In all, it means Arsenal could face a potential battle in keeping the versatile defender, but have all the cards in their hand to keep him if they so wish.
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What Mikel Arteta has said about Hincapie
Hincapie wasn’t always a guaranteed started for Arsenal over the course of the previous season, but he did play a large role in the team finally winning the Premier League.
The defender was a reliable option, especially when injuries struck in the backline, adding plenty of pace and physicality at full-back in particular.
“When I spoke to Xabi just before we were going to sign him, I said if you have to describe him in one word, what would you use, and he said, ‘He’s a warrior,'” Arteta said in March to TNT Sports.
Arsenal continue to be linked with potential forward options in the market, but face a battle to land one key target.
“He will play through brick walls for you and he’s one of the most competitive players that I have had. He’s come into the Premier League after surgery and a difficult start without a pre-season, and when you see him around his team-mates and competing on the pitch, it’s like he’s been here for 10 years.
“He has an aura, a charisma – a really special character.”
It shows exactly what Arteta thinks of Hincapie, and perhaps further underlines how tough it may be for Real Madrid to tempt a move this summer.
One England player chose not to shake Thomas Partey’s hand before the Three Lions faced Ghana in their second World Cup game in Boston on Tuesday night.
The Ghanaian midfielder, previously of Arsenal, is currently facing allegations that include seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four different women, as per The Mirror.
These incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2020 and 2022, with investigations taking place while he was still plying his trade in the Premier League.
England have been urged to change their national anthem for football matches, and ditch ‘God Save the King’.
England Player Refuses Thomas Partey’s Handshake Before World Cup Tie
Cody Grubbs (Sipa USA via Reuters)
Heading into the clash, the English FA’s stance was that the players could make their own decision on whether or not to embrace Partey following the national anthems being played.
In Djed Spence’s case, the Tottenham defender chose to keep his arms by his side as his former north London adversary walked past him. Watch the incident below:
The 2026 World Cup has brought national anthems into the spotlight as the pre-game routine has seen everyone get involved in belting out their country’s chosen tune.
England players stand together and sing the words to ‘God Save the King’ before matches. While the song about the Royal Family technically isn’t the ‘national anthem’, it’s effectively treated as one. But that doesn’t mean it’s popular.
Three Lions Urged Into Pre-Match Anthem Change
Cody Grubbs (Sipa USA via Reuters)
In fact, a poll carried out by Express Sport has suggested the majority of English supporters would rather not be subjected to the anthem before they watch their country play. When asked to vote on whether ‘God Save the King’ should be replaced, a staggering 55% believe it should.
Out of the 4,000 voters, 1,902 were in the camp that believed the tune shouldn’t be scrapped, with the remainder wanting change. Of those who are in favour of replacing the pre-match song, 15% think it should be substituted for ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’.
Another 40% chose ‘Jerusalem’ by Sir Hubert Parry and Sir Edward Elgar. However, the majority (44%) went for a song written in 1901 and used at the Commonwealth Games until 2010. That is, of course, ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’.
So there’s a fairly even split between the potential replacements, but most people appear to want to see the back of the current anthem. Thomas Tuchel, on the other hand, wants Oasis’ Wonderwall to be his team’s post-match song.
Why Thomas Tuchel Doesn’t Sing the National Anthem
Tuchel is unlike those asking for change, as the German boss has already labelled it ‘a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem’. Speaking in March 2025, he stated:
“I think, first of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem and I could not be more proud to be on the sidelines and be in charge of the English national team.”
But you won’t catch Tuchel belting out the anthem before England matches, for the time being at least. Instead, the ex-Chelsea boss feels he should earn that right.
England have a long list of songs and chants, all of which will be sung at major tournaments. Check out our guide for the complete songbook.
When asked why he doesn’t join in, he said: “It means everything. It means a lot to me, I can assure you, but I can feel because it is that meaningful and it is that emotional and it is so powerful, the national anthem, that I have to earn my right to sing it.”
