Tag: aj styles retirement

Finn Balor was ‘blown away’ by AJ Styles’ retirement decision

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former Universal Champion Finn Balor has revealed his “blown away” reaction to AJ Styles’ retirement news from last year.

Earlier this year at Royal Rumble 2026, Styles retired from pro-wrestling after losing to Gunther. Speaking on Talk’n Shop Live, Balor opened up and revealed his initial reaction to Styles’ retirement decision.

“AJ [Styles] had told me he was thinking about retiring in 2026. And in my brain, that was like, ‘Oh, okay. That’s Survivor Series.’ And then I think we’re walking out of a RAW taping in Germany two weeks before his actual retirement, and we’re walking out onto the bus,” Balor shared. “I said, ‘You’re working Gunther soon?’ He goes, ‘Yes. Think it might be the last one.’ I was like, ‘For real?’ He goes, ‘Yeah.’ Whoa. Holy cow. I was blown away.

“I must say I’m super happy for him to be able to step away with his general health. No major injuries so to speak. I know he’s a little banged up, like we all are, but to step away on his terms and be with his family, that’s such a beautiful thing. I wish him the best, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing him pretty soon.”

Styles, now retired from in-ring action, currently works as a talent scout for WWE, while Balor is scheduled to face Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

AJ Styles addresses AEW rumors & WWE future: ‘I am retired from wrestling in the ring’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

AJ Styles has opened up and addressed the ongoing speculation around a possible jump to AEW for a final run after a decade-long run with WWE.

At Royal Rumble 2026, 10 years after his debut, Gunther defeated Styles to retire him from in-ring action. A few weeks later on Raw, Styles was presented with a tribute by WWE before being inducted into the 2026 class of the Hall of Fame.

Speaking on Talk N Shop Live!, Styles addressed the rumors of WWE possibly inducting him into the Hall of Fame to stop him from joining AEW:

“Let me give you something to talk about. So, everybody wants to say, ‘Oh, WWE put him [AJ Styles] in the Hall of Fame so that he couldn’t go to AEW.’ Guys, I am retired from wrestling in the ring. Like, that’s all this is. I make my own choices, I make my own decisions. I was ready.”

He further explained that he was on the verge of staying on the “table for too long” and wanted to beat the house, which he did by hanging up his boots.

Styles, 48, stepped down from a decades long pro-wrestling career that began in 1998 and has now finished in 2026.

Styles noted that he would still be working with WWE in the future, shutting down rumors about his AEW jump:

“I am still going to be working with WWE. That’s not going to change. I have these dreams of helping out young talent. If somebody is not ready once they get there, it’s my job to hopefully help them get to that point to where they can do it, and they are confident when they step into a WWE ring. Being able to help with that is a blessing.”

Christopher Daniels pays tribute to AJ Styles: ‘Always elite’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Following his recent retirement, AJ Styles was showered with tributes, including one from his iconic TNA rivals, Christopher Daniels.

On January 31st, 2026, Gunther defeated and retired Styles from in-ring competition. Shortly after, Daniels penned an emotional note on social media, sharing his heartfelt thoughts for Styles.

“I’ve been quiet following [AJ Styles] last match because I don’t think I can condense 25 years of emotions & experiences into 1 or 2 tweets. Nothing I type can fully express my love, respect, and appreciation for him. Regardless of what happens, AJ was and is always elite!”

Daniels and Styles have been involved in a total of 180 matches (as per Cagematch), including both singles and multi-man matches. Apart from their bouts against each other, Styles and Daniels have also teamed up numerous times.

The duo faced each other for the first time in 2001, where Styles emerged victorious. Their latest bout dates back to 2015 at EPW Total Honor, where Styles again won.

AJ Styles addresses his 2026 WWE retirement plans: ‘I achieved my goals’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

After nearly three decades in professional wrestling, AJ Styles, 48, has addressed the rumors about his retirement by the end of 2026, opening up about his mindset during a recent appearance on The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast. While, WWE has not yet officially elaborated on the plans, Styles recently shared his thoughts.

When asked by The Undertaker about the rumors and speculations surrounding his retirement this year, Styles opened up in detail about the decision and labelled it as a celebration of one’s career.

“Here’s the thing about retirement, it is the opportunity to go out of your way not because of injury but standing on your own two feet, and the goal of working is to retire,” Styles said. “And to be able to do that, to me, is a celebration, so I hope that when it does happen, you guys celebrate with me that I achieved my goals.”

After working years in TNA, NJPW, and the indies, Styles made his WWE re-debut in WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble. And now after a decade and several dream matches at the Stamford-based promotion, he is finally set to hang up his boots.

AJ Styles bids farewell to Australia at WWE live event

Posted on by Joseph Currier

At a WWE house show in Melbourne on Wednesday, AJ Styles took a moment to thank the Australian fans for the support they’ve given him throughout his career.

Styles defeated El Grande Americano at the October 15 live event. It’s likely the last time Styles will ever compete in Australia, with him planning to retire from the ring at some point in 2026. The 48-year-old Styles gave a brief speech today expressing his gratitude for all the Australian fans.

“I just want to thank you guys for cheering and being some of the best fans in the world. Because, here’s the truth, I’m probably not going to see you again in a singlet like this anymore,” he said. “So I just wanted you to know — from the bottom of my heart — thank you very much.”

Styles now heads to Japan for WWE house shows this Friday and Saturday. They are expected to be the last matches Styles will have in Japan — a country that holds special significance to him given that his NJPW run was such a highlight of his career.

There has not been a timeline put on when Styles will retire in 2026. He does not have any concrete plans for what he’ll do after stepping away from in-ring competition, but Styles believes he’ll likely remain with WWE in a role like coaching.

Styles renewed his rivalry with John Cena in a loss at Crown Jewel: Perth last weekend. Next Monday on Raw, there will be a Tag Team title match with Styles & Dragon Lee challenging Finn Balor & JD McDonagh.