After his defeat to Gunter at the Royal Rumble, AJ Styles seemingly retired, signaling the potential end of his WWE tenure rather than his wrestling career altogether. Fans are now speculating that The Phenomenal One might join AEW once his WWE contract expires.
At 48 years old, it remains uncertain if Styles plans to keep wrestling, though recent developments suggest he might. Shortly after his loss last Saturday, Triple H appeared to dismiss the possibility of Styles continuing in AEW or TNA during a press event.
AEW Shows Interest in AJ Styles Post-WWE Retirement
Styles has been a WWE staple since January 2016 and is widely recognized as one of the promotion’s greatest talents. His WWE journey came full circle at the Royal Rumble—the very event where he made his debut a decade earlier.
Rumors about Styles potentially moving to AEW have circulated for some time, and rival promotions are closely watching his contract status. Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that Styles was “a big hit in AEW last week.”
Sapp also noted that Tony Khan is expected to reach out to everyone at AEW should Styles become available, especially since several of Styles’ former Bullet Club allies, including Samoa Joe, The Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega, are currently part of AEW. Notably, Styles refrained from leaving his gloves in the ring after his loss to Gunter—a gesture many interpreted as a hint that his wrestling career isn’t over and that he might appear in another promotion.
AJ Styles Has No Issue with Andrade Joining AEW
If Styles chooses AEW, he would be the latest WWE star to jump from the biggest wrestling company to its main competitor. His contract expired following the Royal Rumble, having signed a secretone-year extension in February 2025.
According to Self Made Pro, Styles decided to join AEW before renewing his contract last year. However, the current TKO contract terms could complicate his move. Unlike past WWE contracts, this one includes a one-year non-compete clause, which has prevented Andrade El Idro from returning to AEW immediately after his WWE release—despite Andrade appearing briefly on Dynamite before disappearing.
Andrade managed to fulfill his obligations by obtaining a waiver for the non-compete clause. In contrast, since Styles was not released but simply had his contract expire, he faces fewer obstacles in joining AEW.
Fan Take: This potential move by AJ Styles to AEW is a game-changer, not only because of his star power but also because it underscores the growing competition between WWE and AEW. For WWE fans, it signals a shifting landscape in pro wrestling, promising fresh rivalries and compelling storylines that could elevate the sport to new heights.
