AJ Styles imagines match against Shawn Michaels on social media

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- WWE World Champion AJ Styles is teasing a dream match against retired professional wrestling icon Shawn Michaels at the Royal Rumble.

"Interesting photo..... is it not?" The Phenomenal One wrote on Twitter Thursday alongside a mock-up photo of the two meeting during WWE's annual January event.

While nothing has been set in stone, Michaels, who retired in 2010 after losing to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26, has declined offers in the past to come back for another match.

However, some fans believe The Heartbreak Kid might make an appearance during the Royal Rumble as it will take place inside his hometown of San Antonio, Texas.

Styles discussed rumors about facing Michaels with Sports Illustrated, noting, "I would love the opportunity to wrestle him."

"I'd love to learn from him, but who's to say if that's going to happen. Right now, it's all speculation and rumors that I'm finding out like everyone else is, but man, what a match that would be," he continued.

Styles last made headlines on Tuesday when he defended his WWE World Championship against underdog James Ellsworth. The self-proclaimed "Champ that Runs the Camp" will next face-off against Dean Ambrose on Smackdown Live that if Ambrose wins, he will then receive a title shot from Styles.