AJ Styles has directly addressed speculation regarding a potential move to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), clarifying the circumstances surrounding his recent retirement and WWE Hall of Fame induction.
The Finish of an Era: Styles’ In-Ring Farewell
At Royal Rumble 2026, ten years after his WWE debut, Styles concluded his in-ring career with a match against Gunther. Following the match, WWE honored “The Phenomenal One” with a tribute segment on RAW, announcing his induction into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame class.
Dismissing the AEW Rumors
Rumors quickly circulated suggesting WWE’s Hall of Fame induction was strategically timed to prevent Styles from signing with AEW. Styles addressed these claims on the Talk N Shop Live! podcast, stating, “Let me grant you something to talk about. So, everybody wants to say, ‘Oh! WWE put him [AJ Styles] in the Hall of Fame so that he couldn’t go to AEW.’ Guys, I am retired from wrestling in the ring. Like, that’s all this is. I make my own choices, I make my own decisions. I was ready.”
Choosing the Right Time to Step Away
Styles explained his decision to retire stemmed from a desire to avoid overstaying his welcome. He felt he was nearing a point where remaining in the ring would be detrimental and wanted to “beat the house” by ending his career on his own terms. At 48, Styles’ nearly three-decade career, beginning in 1998, has spanned WWE, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Modern Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Ring of Honor (ROH).
A New Role Within WWE
Despite retiring from in-ring competition, Styles confirmed his continued commitment to WWE. “I am still going to be working with WWE. That’s not going to change. I have these dreams of helping out young talent. If somebody is not ready once they get there, it’s my job to hopefully help them get to that point to where they can do it, and they are confident when they step into a WWE ring. Being able to help with that is a blessing.”
AJ Styles Shuts Down AEW Rumors
FAQ
Q: Is AJ Styles going to AEW?
A: No, AJ Styles has stated he is retired from in-ring competition and will continue working with WWE.
Q: Why was AJ Styles inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame?
A: AJ Styles was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame to honor his contributions to professional wrestling, and he has stated the decision was not made to prevent him from joining AEW.
Q: What will AJ Styles be doing with WWE?
A: AJ Styles will be focusing on mentoring and developing young talent within WWE.
