Morning Daily News Update: January 26, 2026 – EVIL Leaves NJPW

Good morning, all!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! But it’s Monday again, and we’re back with the first Morning Daily News Update of the week!

We also have Niz’s review of Saturday’s AEW Collision, which has just dropped!

NJPW Confirms Evil’s Departure

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has officially announced that EVIL will leave the company when his contract expires at the end of January 2026, following discussions with management. The former NEVER Openweight Champion, most recently the leader of House of Torture, is widely rumoured to be heading to WWE, as NJPW faces potential departures from several key roster members.

AJ Styles and Gunther to appear on upcoming episode of WWE Raw

AJ Styles and Gunther are both scheduled to appear on this Monday’s go-home edition of WWE Raw, with Styles set to speak and Gunther to be interviewed. The two are headed towards a high-stakes rematch at Royal Rumble 2026, where Styles has agreed to put his career on the line after Gunther demanded the stipulation following their recent Raw encounter.

Triple H promotes official WWE Royal Rumble theme song

Triple H confirmed that Linkin Park’s “Heavy Is the Crown” will serve as an official theme song for the Royal Rumble 2026, promoting it on social media following its reveal on WWE Raw in Germany. The track comes from Linkin Park’s 2024 album From Zero and fronts a Royal Rumble card set for January 31 in Riyadh, featuring the men’s and women’s Rumble matches, plus AJ Styles vs Gunther and Drew McIntyre vs Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship.

AJ Styles Retirement Plans Have Been Known For Months Within WWE

A now-deleted Instagram post from Shinsuke Nakamura claimed that AJ Styles has chosen the Royal Rumble as the site of his final match, fuelling fresh retirement speculation. The post echoed earlier reports that Styles plans to retire before WrestleMania 42, with the Royal Rumble long considered his likely farewell, a decision he has linked to the physical toll of his career and his desire to remain active with his family.