AJ Styles officially retired from WWE following his defeat by Gunther at the 2026 Royal Rumble, marking a poetic end to his career that began at the 2016 event. During an emotional tribute on the February 23 episode of WWE Raw in Atlanta, The Undertaker surprised him with news of his 2026 Hall of Fame induction. Backstage reports indicate Styles was aware of a substantial offer from AEW but chose family time and to avoid further injury.
AJ Styles concluded his in-ring career with a loss to Gunther at the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia last month, exactly ten years after his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble. The 48-year-old, who debuted in 1998 and built a legacy in TNA, Japan, and WWE, returned to the February 23, 2026, episode of WWE Raw at State Farm Arena in Atlanta for a farewell appearance. There, he left his gloves in the ring's center as a symbolic retirement gesture, surrounded by family, Frankie Kazarian, Abyss, and The Good Brothers—Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
Styles explained his decision on Raw Recap, stating, "Now is the right time to retire so I don’t make a fool out of myself, so I don’t embarrass myself. I’m on the verge of doing just that. It’s not easy, mind you, but it’s time." He highlighted the Rumble's significance: "As far as the Royal Rumble, that’s special to me because that’s where I made my debut. To be able to end where I started is poetic." Styles also noted that a planned WrestleMania match after his injury return lacked buildup, adding, "WrestleMania, I’m sorry to say, used to be the most prestigious PLE, but to me, it’s kind of lost its luster a little bit," referring to scrapped 2025 plans.
The evening culminated with The Undertaker—Styles' final WrestleMania opponent in the 2020 Boneyard Match—announcing his induction into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas, joining Stephanie McMahon as a confirmed inductee. The announcement was a legitimate surprise, as WWE did not inform Styles in advance.
Backstage, Karl Anderson shared on Talk’n Shop that Styles confided, "My neck is hurting too bad. I’m beat up. It’s time. I want to help the next generation." The Good Brothers, released from WWE in February 2025, hesitated but agreed to appear three days before the show to honor Styles. Reports from Justin Barrasso indicate Styles knew of a substantial AEW offer with a light schedule but prioritized family. WWE's Hall of Fame move reportedly limits potential AEW appearances, such as at Revolution in March or Double or Nothing in May. Triple H has suggested Styles could take a behind-the-scenes role, similar to Shawn Michaels.
