AJ Styles recently dismissed a fan’s comment accusing him of choosing money over his wish to retire in AEW. While Styles is planning to retire this year, there was earlier speculation about him possibly joining AEW before he renewed his WWE contract. The 48-year-old wrestler extended his WWE contract for another year last summer and plans to wrap up his career by 2026, though the exact retirement date hasn’t been announced. Despite having friends like The Young Bucks in AEW, Styles has never performed there and has stayed with WWE since 2016. When a fan criticized his decision, suggesting he should have ended his career in AEW for the money, Styles responded by calling it one of the dumbest things he’d heard.
There is a chance Styles might have a retirement tour similar to John Cena, who finished his career recently, possibly culminating in a final match with Gunther, who is considered a top contender after recent WWE RAW exchanges. Styles, a two-time WWE World Champion, has established himself among wrestling’s all-time greats, with fans hoping to see him compete against AEW’s top stars.
Back in AEW’s debut on TNT in October 2019, Matt and Nick Jackson, AEW’s executive VPs, attempted to recruit Styles, even planning for him to appear alongside Bullet Club teammates Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Matt Jackson revealed on the Talk’n Shop podcast that WWE countered AEW’s offer with a lucrative five-year contract to retain Styles. He expressed gratitude that Styles was able to secure a better financial deal from WWE. Styles maintains a strong connection with the Young Bucks from their Bullet Club days in NJPW, where Styles once led a faction including Kenny Omega, making it one of the most legendary stables in wrestling history.
Fan Take: This saga underscores the intense competition between WWE and AEW for top talent, showing how financial incentives can influence career decisions even for legendary wrestlers like AJ Styles. For WWE fans, it’s a reminder of the company’s ability to retain marquee stars, but also highlights the growing allure and impact of AEW in shaping wrestling’s future.
