Another WWE Star Set To Follow John Cena & AJ Styles Into Retirement
Another WWE Superstar is eyeing retirement.
In the lead-up to WWE’s two-date stop in Japan, AJ Styles announced that it would likely be his last time wrestling in the country before he retires. During that same interview, Styles said he plans to retire in 2026 after one more match at WrestleMania.
Styles has a lengthy history in Japan, having starred for NJPW.
Following his match against El Grande Americano and Ivar at the second of those shows, AJ Styles delivered a message to fans, translated by Shinsuke Nakamura. Erik and Ivar then hoisted Styles onto their shoulders as the locker room emptied to celebrate his Japanese goodbye.
Styles’ comments came just days before he clashed with John Cena, who has also announced that he’ll retire in the coming months.
WWE Star Knows The End Is Near
Taking to social media after the show in Tokyo, Nakamura echoed the thoughts expressed by Styles before admitting that he knows his own career is coming to an end.
What a special place Japan is. especially for those of us who wrestle.
As AJ said, it’s a place worthy of giving everything you’ve got. Of course, that’s true anywhere in the world… but there’s something sacred here. I don’t know if it’s because I’m Japanese, but I believe the wrestlers and fans who shared this space all felt the same. Maybe.
He did too — John Cena, AJ — they’ve all chosen to step away from the ring. It reminds me that my own time might not be far off.
But I still have things I must do. I’m still struggling, still fighting, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.
All I can do is live this day with everything I have.Thank you.
If only… one more time…
Shinsuke Nakamura signed with WWE in 2016 after establishing himself as one of the most exciting wrestlers in the world with NJPW. The self-proclaimed ‘King of Strong Style went on to win the NXT Championship twice before debuting on SmackDown in April 2017.
Despite three Intercontinental Championship, two United States, a World Tag Team Title wins alongside victory in the 2018 Royal Rumble, Nakamura has never won WWE World Championship gold.
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