AJ Styles recently addressed rumors about his wrestling future following his retirement at last Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble. Although he lost his career match to Gunther and had previously announced plans to retire in 2026, Styles’ decision not to leave his gloves in the ring after the match sparked speculation that he might continue wrestling, possibly with another promotion like AEW.
Reports indicate that AEW is interested in signing Styles if he becomes available, as he was close to joining them before renewing his WWE contract for one more year last year. When asked about why he kept his gloves on, Styles told Stephanie McMahon on the podcast What’s Your Story that he never wants to say never, hinting at the possibility of returning, especially if his son pursues wrestling. He said, “Everyone is allowed to come out of retirement at least once,” leaving the door open for future appearances.
Styles debuted in WWE at the 2015 Royal Rumble and enjoyed a decade with the company, including two WWE World Championship reigns. He began his career in TNA, and many believed he might return there before retiring. However, Triple H mentioned that after the Rumble, Styles told him he was finished with wrestling, dispelling rumors of him competing elsewhere. His contract expired around the Rumble, making him a free agent able to sign with other companies like AEW or TNA.
Regarding his official status, Styles’ WWE contract is believed to expire this month. Although Shinsuke Nakamura once revealed in a deleted social media post that Styles intended to retire when his contract ended, Styles still appears on WWE’s RAW roster page rather than the alumni section. This is similar to Chris Jericho’s status in AEW, where he remains listed on the roster despite an expiring contract. Moving Styles to the alumni section would confirm his departure from WWE.
Currently, it appears Styles remains under contract with WWE, especially since he continues to appear on WWE podcasts. Once he becomes a free agent, it will be clear if he plans to retire fully or continue wrestling elsewhere.
Fan Take: This development is significant for WWE fans as it keeps the possibility alive of seeing AJ Styles in the ring again, adding intrigue to his legacy. Should he join another promotion, it could create exciting new matchups and storylines that enrich the wrestling landscape beyond WWE.
