Ex-WWE Champion Hints Career In Japan Is Over

Former WWE Champion AJ Styles has teased that he will never wrestle in Japan again.

AJ Styles has a big following in Japan, having led the infamous Bullet Club to some of its biggest successes. This included Styles himself winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Kazuchika Okada in his first singles match in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2014.

In more recent years, The Phenomenal One has exclusively toured Japan with WWE. However, on July 13th, he was allowed to wrestle outside the company for one night only when he took on and defeated the legendary Naomichi Marufuji at Pro Wrestling NOAH Destination 2024.

In a YouTube video celebrating WWE’s most recent tour in Japan, Styles explained why he wears a mask during his entrances in the country. While doing so, he dropped the bombshell that Japanese fans might have seen him wrestle there for the last time.

“If you don’t know already, when I’m in Japan, ever since I was with the Bullet Club, I had a mask made for the big shows of the year, and now it’s tradition that I have a mask when I walk out (in Japan).

“This possibly could be the last one you see on AJ Styles, so let’s get it.”

AJ Styles Getting Close To WWE Retirement

Back in April, AJ Styles opened up on how long he plans to continue wrestling. The star admitted that he is getting “close to the end,” but says he wants to have the right story and match to go with his retirement.

H/T to WrestleTalk.com for the above transcription.