AJ Styles has officially declared he will retire from WWE in 2026, sparking speculation about how the company plans to handle his exit. Following John Cena’s farewell tour set for 2025, fans have been curious if Styles would receive a similar sendoff, but indications suggest that no such event is currently planned.
According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, WWE itself remains unsure about the approach to Styles’ retirement. The Stamford-based promotion is reportedly divided over whether his retirement should be a fixed date or a more flexible timeline, reflecting some internal uncertainty about the future of The Phenomenal One’s career.
Upcoming Matches and Their Possible Implications for Styles’ Career
AJ Styles is slated to face Gunther at the upcoming Royal Rumble, with the added stipulation that a loss would end Styles’ WWE journey. This has fueled debate among the WWE Universe on whether this will serve as his final match inside the ring. Meanwhile, Styles recently competed for the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk on WWE RAW, a match that ended with no definitive result after Finn Balor’s interference.
These developments suggest WWE is slowly concluding storylines involving Styles while leaving some aspects open-ended. The company appears to be navigating the balance between giving The Phenomenal One a fitting farewell and maintaining flexibility in its plans.
Context From WWE and Related Royal Rumble Updates
Beyond AJ Styles, rumors circulate about other WWE personalities and their involvement in the 2026 Royal Rumble event. Chris Jericho is anticipated to make an appearance, adding to the excitement surrounding the event. At the same time, Cody Rhodes has expressed his desire to reclaim the WWE Undisputed Championship, showing the competitive landscape even as legends prepare to step away.
These unfolding narratives highlight WWE’s ongoing efforts to manage roster transitions and maintain audience engagement amid retirements and debuts.
What AJ Styles’ Retirement Means for WWE’s Future
The confirmation of AJ Styles’ retirement year brings significant implications for WWE’s talent management and storytelling. As one of the company’s most respected wrestlers, his departure marks the end of an era, posing challenges in filling his role within the promotion.
WWE’s hesitation to finalize retirement plans underscores the complexity of orchestrating a fitting farewell while keeping future options open. Fans can expect WWE to continue weaving Styles’ retirement into forthcoming storylines, likely shaping the promotion’s direction as it prepares for changes in its roster.
