Will AJ Styles Wrestle Again After WWE Retirement? He Reveals The Truth

AJ Styles’ 25-year wrestling career came to a shocking end at the 2026 Royal Rumble.

In the lead-up to the match, he was goaded into putting his career on the line by Gunther, who had already retired two veterans in 2025.

Despite being overmatched by the Austrian physically, Styles brought his veteran experience to the fight, putting up a strong resistance to the intense offenses of the 38-year-old.

However, his efforts came to a halt after being caught in a chokehold, from which he could not get out, and he passed out. The referee called for the bell, signaling the end to AJ Styles’ decade-long run in the WWE.

He also teased fans about wrestling again when he refused to leave his gloves in the ring. In the past, retiring wrestlers have left at least one gear behind, indicating that their time in the squared circle was over.

‘Never Say Never,’ Says AJ Styles When Asked About Wrestling Again

Despite the confusion among fans over AJ Styles’ action, WWE personality Peter Rosenberg confirmed that The Phenomenal One had indeed retired.

The 48-year-old recently appeared on the What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon podcast, where he was asked about competing in another wrestling match.

I don’t know. I don’t know. Never say never, right? That’s the saying. I think everybody is allowed at least once to come out of retirement. I’m not saying I’ll do it anytime soon. I’m just saying that, what if my son wrestles? The opportunity to tag with him once? You never know. There will be a time when the gloves never go back on, and it may be now. We’ll see. [H/T: Fightful]

Also read: AJ Styles’ WWE Career May Not Be Over, Says Triple H