AJ Styles Retirement 2026 Plans Confirmed In New Interview
Credit: WWE / Edited: STAY TRUE LUT
Is AJ Styles Retiring From WWE in 2026?
AJ Styles retirement in 2026 is confirmed, as the former WWE Champion revealed in a new interview with Tokyo Sports that he plans to hang up his boots next year. The announcement ends months of speculation and rumors surrounding his future, with Styles clarifying that he wants to retire before his body slows down. While there is no exact date, he hinted at one last big match, possibly a WrestleMania 42 segment, before delivering his final farewell speech to the WWE Universe.
You can read the original interview with AJ Styles on Tokyo Sports (note: the article is in Japanese). This announcement marks a defining moment in one of wrestling’s most storied careers.
When Did AJ Styles Start Wrestling?
Allen Neal Jones, better known as AJ Styles, began his professional wrestling journey in 1998, training under Rick Michaels at the NCW Wrestling School. Debuting as a masked wrestler named Mr. Olympia for the Georgia-based National Championship Wrestling (NCW) promotion, he quickly made a name for himself on the independent circuit. Over the next two decades, Styles would become one of the most talked-about competitors in pro wrestling history, working for promotions like WCW, TNA, ROH, NJPW, and WWE.
AJ Styles as TNA X Division Champion
When Did AJ Styles Join WWE?
AJ Styles made his highly anticipated WWE debut on January 24, 2016, as the third entrant at the Royal Rumble, surprising the WWE universe. His move to WWE fulfilled years of rumors, marking the start of a new chapter in his career. Over the next several years, Styles would become a multi-time WWE Champion, cementing his legacy as one of the company’s top stars.
AJ Styles makes his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble in 2016.
As AJ Styles looks toward his retirement in 2026, his upcoming match against John Cena at Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia, promises to be another highlight added to his career, taking place during Cena’s farewell tour, and revisiting a past feud between the two. Headlining WWE Crown Jewel is a Champion vs. Champion matchup between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
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