AEW Champion: AJ Styles Doesn’t Have The Guts To Join Company
AJ Styles has officially retired from in-ring competition.
The Phenomenal One faced Gunther in a singles match at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he put his career on the line. Styles lost the match and was, therefore, forced to retire.
While there was some initial confusion surrounding his retirement, it was later confirmed that AJ Styles has indeed retired from professional wrestling. Following his in-ring retirement, speculation began about whether Styles could join TNA or AEW after his WWE contract reportedly expires in February 2025.
AEW Star Ricochet Says AJ Styles Is Too Old To Join AEW
While many AEW fans would welcome him, AEW National Champion Ricochet is not supportive of the idea. On the February 5 episode of The Adrian Hernandez Show, Ricochet was asked about Styles potentially joining AEW.
Ricochet took a shot at the WWE legend, saying Styles does not have the guts to come to AEW and claimed that he is too old to fit in with AEW’s young and competitive roster.
“I don’t think he’s got the guts. I know he’s the Phenomenal AJ Styles, but the bar’s been raised over here. Wherever he goes, he’s getting old. The dropkick isn’t as high as it used to be.”
“He wants to come here and compete with Ricochet, The Demand, Tommaso Ciampa, and Kazuchika Okada? Come on, AJ. Come on, AJ—it’s a different ball game. This is where the best wrestle. I mean, everyone’s welcome for sure, but he’s not going to do it. There’s no way. He’s going to stay as far away from here as possible.”
As of now, there are no reports of AEW or Tony Khan making an official offer to AJ Styles, although it was reported that his future was discussed backstage during the January 28 edition of AEW Dynamite.