Real Reason For AJ Styles’ WWE Retirement Revealed

On Saturday at the Royal Rumble, AJ Styles will face Gunther in a singles match.

The bout, however, comes with a stipulation that states if Styles loses, then he must retire from wrestling.

Both superstars had previously wrestled in the main event of the January 12 episode of WWE Raw, where The Phenomenal One made Gunther tap out.

But this happened with the referee’s view blocked, so thinking that he had won, the veteran let go of the submission. The referee denied seeing anything.

The Ring General then hit a powerbomb for the victory.

Real Reason Behind AJ Styles’ Retirement Revealed

In October 2025, AJ Styles confirmed that 2026 would be his final year as an in-ring competitor.

While fans expected him to have a few months of appearances, having featured him in a retirement against Gunther, who retired two wrestlers in 2025, came as a surprise to many viewers.

During an appearance on WWE Raw Recap, former WWE Champion Big E discussed Styles’ potential retirement at the upcoming Royal Rumble, revealing pride as the reason behind his decision.

I will say the one thing I respect, if this is it, we’re not seeing a diminished version of AJ Styles. We never saw a diminished version of it. I don’t even think he missed a beat a little bit. There was some discussion with Cena and his run, whether he still had it at some point, still put on great matches. But you started to wonder if he wasn’t quite the same Super Cena we were used to. I haven’t had that question once with AJ.

Big E claimed that he’d had backstage conversations with the 48-year-old. He revealed that Styles’ pride was the factor behind his decision, and that Styles would prefer retiring in top health than be seen as someone who is not in his prime.

I’ve seen someone who I’ve had a chance to talk to him about about this being the last year in the locker room, and he’s someone who takes so much pride in his work. He is someone who refuses he doesn’t ever want fans to see even a slightly diminished version of AJ Styles.

The thing is, like, man, he could go into his 50s. I really think so. With the way he takes care of his body, he still has the same athleticism he had when I first was in the ring with him a decade ago.

Big E also paid a tribute to AJ Styles’ stellar career in WWE, during which he became a 2-time WWE Champion.

His run is really, truly remarkable. To be at his age in his late 40s, and to still be so crisp, man. If this was indeed his last RAW, what a run, what an incredible run. I know we’re not here eulogizing him yet.

I know he still has that opportunity to beat Gunther and keep competing in his career. But man, truly the best guy from a technical standpoint I’ve ever been in the ring with. The blend of explosiveness, of creativity, of technical, he just has it all, truly has it all. And a guy that really shaped the industry in such a beautiful way.

H/T: WrestlingNews.co