AJ Styles: Tony Khan Praises WWE Star After Royal Rumble Loss

The wrestling world is processing the recent retirement of AJ Styles, a career that concluded at WWE’s Royal Rumble 2026 with a loss to Gunther. While the defeat marked the end of an era for “The Phenomenal One,” the respect for his contributions to the sport remains immense, as evidenced by praise from an unexpected source: AEW President Tony Khan.

Khan, speaking on the Battleground podcast, didn’t hesitate to express his admiration for Styles, calling him “one of the greatest wrestlers ever.” His comments came following a match that was billed as career-threatening for Styles, a stipulation that ultimately proved true. The loss sparked immediate discussion about what the future holds for the veteran performer, but Khan’s words underscore the lasting impact Styles has had on professional wrestling.

“Oh, I’m a huge fan of AJ Styles,” Khan stated. “I think he’s incredible. He’s had great matches all over the world. We were just talking about ROH, he did some incredible things in ROH that are a part of our library, and also with our partners at New Japan Pro Wrestling. He was involved in some of the all-time greatest matches.”

Khan specifically highlighted Styles’ match with Minoru Suzuki as a personal favorite, a testament to the quality of competition Styles consistently delivered throughout his career. He emphasized Styles’ ability to excel across numerous promotions, noting his history with Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling, organizations with which AEW maintains strong relationships. “He’s never been in AEW before, but he certainly has history with a lot of the promotions we work with. And of course, in ROH, he has a great history,” Khan added.

The timing of Khan’s praise is particularly noteworthy, coming after Styles’ final match and fueling speculation about potential future opportunities. While Styles has officially retired from active competition, the wrestling world is rarely definitive, and Khan’s comments have undoubtedly added another layer to the conversation surrounding the next chapter of Styles’ career. The fact that Khan so readily acknowledged Styles’ accomplishments, despite never having competed in AEW, speaks volumes about the universal respect for the wrestler.

Styles’ career has been defined by his adaptability and success in various wrestling landscapes. From his foundational work in Ring of Honor to his impactful runs in New Japan Pro Wrestling and WWE, he has consistently proven his ability to connect with audiences and deliver memorable performances. His defeat by Gunther at the Royal Rumble, while marking the end of his in-ring career, doesn’t diminish the legacy he’s built over decades.

The immediate aftermath of the Royal Rumble saw Styles reportedly visit WWE headquarters, suggesting ongoing discussions and potentially a continued role within the company, albeit not as an active competitor. However, Khan’s public admiration opens the door to the possibility of a future collaboration, even if it’s not in the traditional sense of wrestling matches. His history with promotions closely aligned with AEW makes such a scenario plausible, though currently unconfirmed.

The wrestling community is now left to ponder what comes next for AJ Styles. Will he transition into a mentorship role? Will he explore opportunities outside of the ring? Or could a surprising move to AEW be on the horizon? For now, one thing is certain: Tony Khan’s glowing endorsement serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact AJ Styles has had on the world of professional wrestling, solidifying his place among the all-time greats.

The wrestling world will be watching closely to see what the future holds for Styles, and Khan’s comments have certainly added another intriguing element to the narrative.