AJ Styles has described the emotional scenes backstage after losing his final match to GUNTHER at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.
Styles retired as an in-ring competitor at the event after a 28-year career. He told Insight With Chris Van Vliet that most of the roster greeted him upon his return through the curtain.
"It got emotional, because when I went back in Gorilla, it seemed like most of our roster was there waiting on me," Styles said. Abyss embraced him, and others offered hugs before the reality of retirement set in.
Styles sought solitude in a storage room filled with luggage but could not close the door. Shane Helms found him there and provided a hug as Styles shed tears. He also explained his choice to retire at the Royal Rumble rather than WrestleMania 42, citing his 2016 debut at the event and a prior foot injury that ended earlier retirement plans.
Styles continues to work for WWE in a backstage role as a talent scout.
