AJ Styles Retirement Not Seen as Final Within WWE – AJ Styles’ apparent in-ring farewell may not be permanent, even after losing a career-on-the-line match to Gunther at the 2026 Royal Rumble. While the defeat was positioned as the end of his WWE run, there is internal belief that the “Phenomenal One” is not finished wrestling.

According to WrestleVotes Radio, several people within WWE do not think Styles has had his final match. Exactly when or where he could return remains unclear, but the expectation is that he could still compete again in some form.

Styles himself fueled that speculation during an appearance on “What’s Your Story?” With Stephanie McMahon, where he addressed why he didn’t leave his gloves in the ring, a gesture often used to signal retirement.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. Never say never, right? That’s the saying,” Styles said. “I think everybody’s allowed at least once to come out of retirement. I’m not saying that I’ll do it anytime soon.”

He also revealed a personal motivation that could bring him back: the possibility of teaming with his son in the future.

“What if my son wrestles? The opportunity to tag with him once, you never know,” Styles stated. “So, there’ll be a time when the gloves never go back on. It may be now, but we’ll see.”

The decision not to fully commit to retirement has kept the door open for potential future appearances. Styles remains one of the most respected veterans of his era, and any return would likely generate significant interest across the industry.

If he does opt to continue wrestling at some point in 2026, there is expected to be outside interest in his services. Promotions such as AEW and NJPW would likely explore opportunities to bring in the 48-year-old, given his global reputation and decades of experience at the highest level.

AJ Styles Retirement Not Seen as Final Within WWE

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