The Phenomenal One is officially done with WWE!… But only as a wrestler.
AJ Styles shut down all the speculation during a recent appearance on Talk N’ Shop (with Gallows & Anderson), addressing rumors that his WWE Hall of Fame induction (Class of 2026, announced by The Undertaker on Raw in Atlanta) was just a move to block a jump to AEW.
AJ was quick to correct the misinformed assumptions: “Everybody wants to say, ‘Oh, WWE put him in the Hall of Fame so that he couldn’t go to AEW.’ Guys, I’m retired from wrestling in the ring. That’s all this is. I make my own choices. I make my own decisions. I was ready.”
Styles chose to call it a career at the Royal Rumble and on Raw this past Monday, WWE surprised him by making him the first inductee into this year’s Hall of Fame class. It was a legitimate surprise that he wasn’t aware was coming. Fans immediately made remarks that WWE was doing it so quickly out of fear that he was leaving WWE and joining their competition.
Styles retired after a career-ending loss to Gunther, and there’s no coming back for matches anywhere—not AEW, not NJPW, not TNA. He said he wanted to beat the house and not stay at the table too long. In addition, neck issues and wear-and-tear played a big role.
Styles Will Continue to Work With WWE
Instead, AJ’s excited about his next chapter: staying with WWE backstage to mentor the next generation. “I’m still going to be working with WWE. That’s not going to change. I have these dreams and aspirations of helping out the younger talent… If somebody’s not ready once they get there, it’s my job to hopefully help them get to that point where they can be confident when they step into a ring… Being able to help is a blessing. I’m so excited.”
His in-ring career will go down as one of the greatest ever. But his career as a coach and a mentor might put him in a class with a select few.
