WWE Star Clarifies Retirement Comments, Lays Out Future Goals
A WWE veteran will be sticking around.
Ahead of WWE’s recent couple of live events in Japan, AJ Styles announced his plans to retire in 2026. The former World Champion said that the two events could be his last in Japan as an active performer, so he wanted to make sure he thanked fans for their support.
Styles said he’ll likely hang up his boots after one more appearance at WrestleMania. Although he hasn’t got a fixed date in mind, Styles was adamant that he won’t wrestle beyond 2026. After retirement, Styles expects to work with WWE in a backstage capacity.
The announcement came as John Cena closed on his own retirement date of December 13. In addition, after competing in Japan alongside Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura admitted that the end of his career might “not be far off.”
Shinsuke Nakamura Staying With WWE
During a new interview with Tokyo Sports, Nakamura clarified his comments regarding his in-ring future. He said that he doubted he’d be wrestling in ten years time, suggesting that “maybe” he’d still be competing in five years.
“Fortunately, I haven’t had many injuries, so it’s not like I have to retire right now. But nothing lasts forever. If you ask me about the next 10 years, I have my doubts, but if you ask me about five years, maybe. You never know what tomorrow brings, so I just have to do what I can now.”
After saying that he was glad he could be part of Styles’ final appearances in Japan, Nakamura said that he still wants to become World Champion. He added that winning the title would help him leave a path for the next generation of Asian wrestlers in the United States.
“I believe in it, so I keep going. That’s the World Heavyweight Championship. I just want to win that. I think that’s the one thing that Japanese wrestlers, especially men, have yet to break through on this American stage.
I don’t know if it’s proof, but I can’t help but wonder what would happen if I couldn’t do it. I hope I can leave some kind of path, or hope, for the next generation of Japanese and Asian wrestlers.”
In the days after the two Japanese shows, WWE released special backstage footage of AJ Styles preparing to say goodbye to fans. The clip also shows Nakamura delivering Styles’ message to the crowd.
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