Shinsuke Nakamura seems to have confirmed what many AJ Styles fans feared: Styles is set to retire from wrestling after the Royal Rumble. In a post he later deleted, Nakamura shared a diary entry revealing that AJ Styles himself told him the upcoming Royal Rumble match would be his last as an active wrestler.
Under the heading “Styles will not make its final run in 2026,” Nakamura wrote about a moment during last year’s Australia tour when AJ gave a heartfelt post-match speech in Melbourne. While Styles expressed gratitude to his fans, Nakamura sensed hints that retirement was approaching. Later, traveling to a handshake event in Japan, Nakamura asked Styles directly about his retirement plans, to which AJ responded, “Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.”
Nakamura reflected that, whether aloud or silently, he had wished to wrestle one more time before retiring—and AJ agreed. Their unexpected showdown during Saturday Night’s main event was an instant classic, evoking memories of their first singles match a decade ago in Japan. Before the match, AJ showed Nakamura a message on his phone meant for his Japanese fans, expressing a mix of anxiety and excitement when he first arrived in Japan, along with deep appreciation for the country’s support—a clear farewell note.
This made Nakamura think about both his own retirement and the long history he shares with Styles, from their 2016 Tokyo Dome encounter to their shared journeys in NXT and the WWE main roster. He credited Styles for pushing him to achieve success, admitting, “I don’t think that would have happened if AJ hadn’t pushed.” He praised Styles as a unique talent in professional wrestling, stating, “I trust him. I respect him.”
Before their final match on Saturday Night’s main event, Nakamura wrote: “And now…our final game awaits. This is our last chance to give him a perfect send-off.”
Fan Take: This confirmation of AJ Styles’ retirement marks the end of a remarkable era for WWE, as one of the sport’s most gifted performers prepares to bow out. For fans, this signals a major shift in the roster and storyline dynamics, emphasizing the need to cherish these final moments while eagerly anticipating the next generation’s rise.
