AJ Styles has dismissed speculation about joining AEW following his in-ring retirement, affirming his commitment to WWE in a new capacity. The former champion spoke on the Talk N Shop podcast about his decision to retire and plans to develop young talent. Reports indicate he has signed a new contract to assist with training at the WWE Performance Center.
AJ Styles retired from active wrestling after a loss to Gunther at the 2026 Royal Rumble in January, marking exactly 10 years since his WWE debut at the 2016 event. During a tribute ceremony on the February 23, 2026, episode of Monday Night Raw in Atlanta, Georgia, The Undertaker announced Styles as an individual inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026, joining Stephanie McMahon for the ceremony in Las Vegas in April during WrestleMania 42 week.
Speculation arose that the induction was a WWE strategy to prevent Styles from signing with AEW, but Styles addressed this on the Talk N Shop podcast, stating, "Let me give 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."
He explained his retirement was voluntary, as he did not want to remain "at the table for too long" and risk declining performances, adding, "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."
Multiple sources, including PWInsider, confirm Styles has agreed to a new multi-year contract with WWE focused on talent development. He has begun spending time at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, where he is expected to work with coaching staff and potentially alongside Shawn Michaels on NXT to nurture emerging performers. This role aligns with Styles' pre-retirement interest in training and provides stability amid WWE's ongoing creative shifts.
