WWE Hall Of Famer Predicts AJ Styles Will Wrestle Again

Some people have not fully come to terms with AJ Styles’ retirement.

On January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Styles shockingly lost to Gunther at the 2026 Royal Rumble, meaning he would have to retire as that was the pre-decided stipulation.

It made The Phenomenal One the third victim of Gunther, who had previously retired Goldberg and John Cena in 2025.

Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, 6-time World Champion Booker T cited AJ Styles’ reluctance to leave his gloves in the ring as a sign that he might return to the squared circle in the future.

I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t thought they would throw a swerve at me… The one thing that kind of like leave the door open is, AJ didn’t leave his gloves in the ring. Weird. That was a weird moment.

Yeah, and if you retired, if you know it’s over, you’re gonna, you’re gonna leave those gloves in the ring. So, therefore, I think the door was left open slightly anyway, for AJ to still be able to do something, even if it’s not in the WWE.

AJ Styles Could Transition Into A Wrestling Coach

Booker T also discussed potential alternatives for AJ Styles during his time away from active wrestling.

He hoped that the 48-year-old could transition into a wrestling coach in WWE’s Performance Center, imparting the knowledge he has accumulated for over 20 years, to help the next generation of superstars.

You know, I can see that. I can see AJ been in his business a long time just because he’s one of those carpenters that we really, really, really, truly need right now to help these young guys, kind of, like, navigate their way through this, you know, this land mine.

I’m serious, and hopefully we can get somebody like AJ Styles as far as I wouldn’t want to see him as a producer or anything like that, but I would love to see AJ Styles as one of the trainers and one of the coaches. [H/T: WrestlingNews.co]

Also read: Will AJ Styles Wrestle Again After WWE Retirement?