Major Talk In AEW After AJ Styles WWE Retirement

AJ Styles’ WWE career is over, and that’s been the subject of serious discussion in AEW.

At the Royal Rumble, AJ Styles put his career on the line against a man making a career for himself out of ending other people’s: Gunther. Gunther defeated Goldberg in the WWE Hall of Famer’s retirement match in the summer of 2025 before he made John Cena meekly tap out in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December.

Sadly, Styles met the same fate as both of those stars as The Ring General reigned supreme. The Phenomenal One did not tap out; instead, he passed out while locked in Gunther’s dreaded sleeper hold.

After the bout, Styles was about to leave his gloves in the ring as a symbolic gesture that his in-ring career was over, but scrapped that idea to the delight of the fans. So it seems he might be getting in the ring again, just not in WWE.

AJ Styles Is The Talk Of AEW

Fightful Select has given the latest update on the status of AJ Styles. The report noted that it is believed Styles’ WWE contract expires in February 2026, but that has not been confirmed. If that is the case, Styles will be a free agent in the very near future and free to sign elsewhere.

Many have suggested that Styles could return to TNA, the promotion where he made his name. However, sources in WWE noted that given the relationship between the two companies, he’d likely have been able to do that while still under a WWE deal.

The subject of AJ Styles’ future was said to be a major talking point backstage at AEW Dynamite on January 28th. There is no knowledge of an offer being made by Tony Khan to bring Styles in, but AEW sources noted that if the company could do that, they very likely would.

New Japan Pro Wrestling would likely want to use Styles as well, given his history with the promotion and the fact that the promotion is haemorrhaging talent. Joining AEW would keep that door open for Styles as well if that was something he wanted to pursue.