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AJ Styles Says WWE Blocked Hall Of Famer From Royal Rumble Appearance

By Shuvangi Sen Chaudhury • Published Mar 16, 2026 05:28 EDT

aj styles wwe — Cody Rhodes vs. AJ Styles – Undisputed WWE Championship Match - Source: WWE.com

AJ Styles is done with in-ring wrestling in WWE.

The Phenomenal One had his last match against Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026.

Fans had expected him to retire at a premium live event such as WrestleMania, but he claimed that The Show of Shows had lost its prestigious flair.

AJ Styles made a shocking claim about Royal Rumble

While speaking on the Phenomenally Retro podcast, The Phenomenal One discussed his former TNA colleague, Abyss. AJ Styles revealed that the TNA Hall of Famer was being considered for a Royal Rumble appearance, but finally did not make it to the final draft.

There was a moment in time where we thought we were going to have him in the Royal Rumble. It didn’t go through and I hate that for him. I wish it hadn’t. It would have been just like, ‘Ah okay. Stamp on Abyss, the character finally made it to the WWE.’ I would have wanted that. I guess somebody didn’t agree with it.

Fans had expected him to continue his wrestling journey at another promotion, but it doesn’t seem to be happening at the moment. On the other hand, WWE has announced him as an inductee for the WWE Hall of Fame 2026.

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