AJ Styles Retirement: Planned WrestleMania Exit & Royal Rumble Return

The end of an era arrived unexpectedly for AJ Styles, not under the bright lights of WrestleMania, but at the WWE Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia. While his final match against Gunther was a fittingly hard-fought contest, the circumstances surrounding his retirement reveal a shift in plans driven by a prior injury and a desire for poetic closure.

Styles, a cornerstone of WWE for a decade following his surprise debut in the 2016 Royal Rumble, recently shared in a WWE-released vlog that his initial vision for retirement centered around the grandeur of WrestleMania. “Everybody wants to retire at WrestleMania, the biggest show of the year that we do,” Styles said in the video, filmed before his final match but released in February 2026. “I was going to do exactly that, but I just came back from an injury that was supposed to retire me. It retires most.”

That injury, a Lisfranc injury in his foot sustained in October 2024 during a SmackDown match against Carmelo Hayes, sidelined Styles for four months. His return to the ring was successful enough to allow him to compete at WrestleMania 41, where he faced Logan Paul, but the recovery process altered his perspective. “Once I got healed up and was comfortable enough running and doing what I need to do to be AJ Styles, it just didn’t feel right to come back for two months just to retire,” he explained. The thought of a prolonged build-up to a retirement match felt disingenuous after the physical toll of his recovery.

Instead, Styles found a different kind of resonance in returning to the Royal Rumble, the event that launched his WWE career. “It didn’t seem right and I thought, what a way to be able to leave on the pay-per-view where you debuted,” he stated. He envisioned a final moment of self-assuredness: “Hopefully, at the end of this match, I stand up on my own two feet and I throw up the P1 that is on my gloves one more time, and I walk.”

The decision to retire at the Royal Rumble also came after a year that saw Gunther, his final opponent, retire two other wrestling legends, Goldberg and John Cena. This added another layer of significance to the match, positioning Styles as the latest icon to pass the torch to the “Ring General.” While the match itself ended in controversy – with Gunther seemingly tapping out to Styles’ Calf Crusher but the referee failing to see it – the outcome didn’t diminish the weight of the moment.

WWE is set to formally celebrate Styles’ illustrious career on the February 23rd edition of Monday Night RAW, emanating live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The details of the tribute remain undisclosed, but it’s expected to be a fitting acknowledgment of a performer who consistently delivered captivating matches and elevated the status of the WWE.

Styles’ career is marked by a rare blend of technical prowess, charisma, and longevity. From his years dominating the independent circuit to his championship reigns in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and WWE, he consistently proved himself as one of the most gifted in-ring performers of his generation. His arrival in WWE in 2016 was a watershed moment, injecting a new level of excitement and unpredictability into the company.

His impact extends beyond championships, and accolades. Styles’ ability to connect with audiences, his willingness to adapt and evolve his style, and his dedication to the craft made him a beloved figure among fans and a respected colleague among his peers. He consistently delivered memorable feuds with a diverse range of opponents, including Dean Ambrose, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Randy Orton, solidifying his place as a modern-day wrestling icon.

The shift from a WrestleMania retirement to the Royal Rumble underscores a pragmatic approach to the end of his career. Styles prioritized a meaningful exit that aligned with his physical and emotional state, ultimately choosing a path that felt authentic to his journey. While WrestleMania represents the pinnacle of professional wrestling, the Royal Rumble offered a unique opportunity for a full-circle moment, a poetic conclusion to a career defined by surprise, skill, and unwavering dedication.

As Styles steps away from the ring, he leaves behind a legacy that will undoubtedly inspire future generations of wrestlers. His influence on the industry is undeniable, and his contributions to WWE will be remembered for years to come. The celebration on RAW is not just a farewell to a performer, but a recognition of a true legend.