AEW Dream Match? AJ Styles Tipped To Make Shocking Debut

A loss against Gunther at the 2026 Royal Rumble confirmed the end of AJ Styles’ wrestling career.

Fans have since speculated whether his ‘retirement’ was actually him saying goodbye to the business or a temporary step back.

Amid the discussions, Styles revealed that he was keeping the door open for his return during a chat on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast.

WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray believes he has the perfect setup that would see The Phenomenal One debut in AEW and eventually fight Will Ospreay.

While speaking on the Busted Open Radio podcast, Bully said that wrestling fans would ‘show up in droves’ for what would not only be a classic fight, but also AEW getting a rare one-up on WWE.

AEW fans, I believe, would show up in droves for that match alone because not only do they want to see the match, but beneath the surface, it’s sticking the middle finger up to the WWE.

AEW Is Perfect For AJ Styles: Bully Ray

Bully Ray claims that AJ Styles fighting Will Osperay in AEW is the perfect dream match. On record, both wrestlers have previously compted in a singles fight, which occurred at RevPro in 2015.

The 54-year-old also said that their match would require no build-up either because of the reputation they carry for themselves in the wrestling business.

AEW is the perfect place for AJ Styles versus Will Ospreay with no story. It’s all about the match, the flips, the doohickeys and the dives. It’s the fantasy matchup of all fantasy matchups. And if there’s one thing that Tony is good at it’s delivering fantasy matchup to the AEW fan base.

I don’t need a story. All I need is for AEW to come on the air one day and go, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, breaking news, at All In and Wembley Stadium. Will Ospreay takes on AJ Styles.’ That’s it.

Also read: WWE May Make Historic AJ Styles Announcement On 2/23 RAW