AJ Styles Set to Compete for World Heavyweight Championship Again

WWE has announced AJ Styles will face Gunther in a dark match following the March 14 edition of SmackDown in Barcelona. This marks a rare cross-brand opportunity for the RAW superstar to compete against the current World Heavyweight Champion.

The March 14 show will take place at the Olimpic Arena Badalona, marking WWE’s first return to Spain in six years. While top stars like Cody Rhodes, Bayley, LA Knight, and Nia Jax are also advertised for the event, the Styles-Gunther matchup offers fans a special post-show attraction.

Though Styles and The Ring General have competed against each other several times at non-televised live events, they’ve never faced off on television. This dark match continues their house show series while giving Spanish fans a chance to witness the acclaimed matchup.

WWE’s plans for Styles on the Road to WrestleMania 41 remain unclear, but this high-profile dark match suggests the company continues to position The Phenomenal One in significant competitive scenarios. The contest also gives fans a chance to see two technically gifted performers who many have wanted to see clash in a televised program.

The Barcelona show is part of WWE’s broader European tour during WrestleMania season, bringing major events to international audiences ahead of their premier annual showcase.

🇪🇸 ¡El Campeón Mundial de Peso Pesado @gunther_wwe se enfrentará a @AJStylesOrg el 14 de marzo en Barcelona en un combate que solo podrás ver en el @OlimpicArenaBdn! 💥

Si aún no las tienes, ¡consigue ya tus entradas! ➡️ https://t.co/b0wex2hGex pic.twitter.com/DnsIO2WES2

— WWE España (@WWEespana) February 27, 2025