What AJ Styles Wants To Happen After WWE Retirement

AJ Styles plans to retire from in-ring competition in 2026.

The 48-year-old veteran wants to end his career gracefully before his body deteriorates and avoid embarrassment as he gets older. Plus, he has expressed his desire to spend more time with his family.

The Phenomenal One recently appeared on Undertaker’s The Six Feet Under podcast, where he talked about his impending retirement.

He stated he’s glad he gets to go out on his own terms and not because his body can’t keep up with him anymore. Styles encouraged his fans not to get sad after he retires, but to celebrate that he got to go out in his own way.

“Here’s the thing about retirement, it is the opportunity to go out of your way not because of injury but standing on your own two feet, and the goal of working is to retire. And to be able to do that, to me, is a celebration, so I hope that when it does happen, you guys celebrate with me that I achieved my goals.” [H/T Wrestling Observer]

AJ Styles Slaps Gunther On WWE RAW

Gunther has been on a high horse since he made John Cena tap out in his retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025. He has been disrespecting everyone he encounters backstage, but this week, he got humbled in a big way.

The crowd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, saw Gunther come out to the ring to deliver another arrogant promo. But AJ Styles interrupted him and slapped him. The Ring General was too stunned to do anything about it.

Next week, the two stars will take on each other on Monday Night RAW, which will take place at PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany.

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