AJ Styles Reveals Heartbreaking Reason Behind WWE Retirement

At the 2026 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles was part of a high-stakes match.

Facing ‘The Ring General’ Gunther, Styles match included a retirement stipulation.

The Austrian expectedly dominated the match, but found solid resistance from The Phenomenal One.

In the closing minutes, the 38-year-old star applied his chokehold on the veteran, as he had done during the previous retirement matches involving Goldberg and John Cena.

While Styles tried to escape the hold, he eventually passed out, leading to the referee calling for the bell.

AJ Styles made his professional wrestling debut in 1998, but did not join WWE until 2016, debuting at that year’s Royal Rumble. On February 23, he was officially announced as an inductee into the Hall of Fame class of 2026 by The Undertaker.

Before WrestleMania, he will join Stephanie McMahon and other yet-to-be-named inductees during a night of legacies and celebration.

AJ Styles Reveals Why He Retired

On Monday, AJ Styles officially bid adieu to the fans by leaving his jacket and gloves in the ring, something he backed out of doing at the Royal Rumble.

Styles revealed that he wanted to make his retirement official in Georgia, his home.

After the taping, the 48-year-old also appeared on the Raw Recap podcast with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant.

During the interview, Styles was asked why he felt now was the right time to retire, and he replied truthfully.

Now is the right time to retire so I don’t make a fool out of myself, so I don’t embarrass myself. I’m on the verge of doing just that. It’s not easy, mind you, but it’s time. [H/T: Fightful]

After being announced as the latest Hall of Fame inductee, Styles celebrated with his wife and kids, who were also in attendance.