Shinsuke Nakamura Pays Heartfelt Tribute to AJ Styles

Veteran wrestler Shinsuke Nakamura paid tribute to his longtime rival and friend, AJ Styles, on social media following the emotional events of this week’s RAW.

Nakamura and Styles had several memorable battles in both New Japan Pro-Wrestling and WWE. They delivered another classic at Saturday Night’s Main Event last month. The Phenomenal One then lost to Gunther at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, failing to save his career.

This week’s RAW was essentially a tribute show to the former WWE Champion, with AJ’s longtime rivals and friends from TNA, his former allies The Good Brothers, and the SmackDown stars being in attendance to pay their respects to The Phenomenal One. Styles cut an emotional promo in which he explained why he didn’t leave his gloves in the ring at the Royal Rumble. The entire roster was at the entrance ramp as AJ left his gloves and jacket in the middle of the ring. The segment ended with The Undertaker announcing Styles as the newest member of the 2026 Class of WWE Hall of Fame.

After the show went off the air, wrestlers joined AJ and his family in the ring to celebrate. On Instagram, Shinsuke Nakamura wrote that AJ leaving the ring with his family by his side was the perfect way for him to go out. The former Royal Rumble winner also paid his respects to The Phenomenal One.

“AJ left the ring with his family by his side.
That’s the right way to go.

We fought.
We pushed each other.
We made history.

As a rival, I respect him.
As a friend, I’m happy for him.

Much love, brother!”

Check out Shinsuke Nakamura’s post below:

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A post shared by Shinsuke Nakamura (@shinsukefotos)