WWE's Stance on AJ Styles' Retirement Revealed
AJ Styles announced that he plans to retire from pro wrestling in 2026, and WWE are reportedly putting plans in place for the Phenomenal One’s last hurrah. He confirmed his intention to call time on his career next year during the Crown Jewel pre-show last weekend.
WWE ‘Planning’ AJ Styles’ Retirement
The 48-year-old lost to John Cena at Crown Jewel in an epic match between the two legendary stars, which will be one of Cena’s final matches ahead of his retirement on December 13th. The 17-time world champion paid tribute to Styles with a pre-match script read out by Alicia Taylor.
Styles has been with WWE for over eight years, but wants to spend more time with his family and retire before he starts to show regression. His performance in Perth, Australia, suggested he still has plenty left in the tank, but WWE have accepted he is officially stepping away next year.
Dave Meltzer spoke on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and said that “there is a plan in play for how to handle AJ Styles’ retirement in 2026” and that the company are “gonna do something.” He added that ‘they believe he’s retiring next year.”
This confirms that the clock is ticking on Styles’ career and downplays any suggestions of a potential U-turn. He confused fans in early September with an off-air promo that teased that someone “doesn’t want him in WWE anymore”.
This possible angle hasn’t been pursued, and he instead told fans of his retirement plans, which the promotion seems intent on honoring. Meltzer mentioned that nothing is set in stone yet, but one idea could be to run another Farewell Tour, similarly to how Cena has spent the year facing former foes and the younger generation.
Who Could Be AJ Styles’ Final Opponent?
The pro wrestling world has been debating who should be John Cena’s final opponent when he competes in one last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December. But with AJ Styles’ retirement now looming, such queries will be made when he closes the book on his storied career.
Cena would have been ideal if he weren’t retiring beforehand, but other longtime rivals, such as Randy Orton or a returning Chris Jericho, could be Styles’s last opponent. He was so impressive at Crown Jewel in RAC Arena that fans are vouching for him to be handed one more world title run.
Watching Styles hold gold in 2026 before bowing out could make for compelling viewing as he could put over an upcoming star. He already lost to Dominik Mysterio when challenging for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam, and passing the torch and a world title could be a perfect send-off.