John Cena is nearing the end of his active wrestling career, and AJ Styles will soon follow suit. Both WWE stars plan to retire in 2026, marking the close of significant chapters in their careers.
AJ Styles, who has competed professionally since 1998, has achieved numerous milestones throughout his tenure in wrestling. Recently, he hinted through social media that his time in the ring is winding down, sharing an image featuring an hourglass with his iconic “P1” logo passing through it.
Styles is scheduled to face John Cena one last time at WWE’s Crown Jewel Premium Live Event, set for October 11 in Australia. Prior to this, he spoke with Tokyo Sports about WWE’s upcoming show in Japan, taking place on October 17-18. During the interview, Styles revealed strong emotions about the tour, emphasizing that it might be his final visit to Japan before retirement.
“I’m really excited. I think this will probably be my last match in Japan, so I’m really looking forward to it. I plan to retire soon, and I might not come back to Japan before that.”
AJ Styles, WWE Star
While Styles left the door open for a possible WrestleMania appearance, he confirmed that he intends to retire within the next year.
“I’ll probably be at WrestleMania, but it’s not confirmed yet. The details are still undecided, but I will definitely retire within the next year.”
AJ Styles (via Google Translate)
AJ Styles Hopes for a Match with Japanese Wrestling Icon
In the same conversation, AJ Styles expressed a strong desire to wrestle Hiroshi Tanahashi, a respected legend in Japanese wrestling. However, Styles acknowledged uncertainty about whether this matchup will happen due to their respective career stages.
“I still want it 1,000 percent. But given our respective positions, I don’t know if it’ll happen. It may be difficult to fight him again, but I want to see his retirement match. Rather than thinking about who the opponent is, I feel that this position is something that has to be earned… We are both on the path to retirement, but this is truly a happy thing. In pro wrestling, your body getting wrecked is part of the deal. Just being able to have a retirement match is a huge blessing.”
AJ Styles, WWE Wrestler
Hiroshi Tanahashi himself is preparing for his final match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026, closing a remarkable career which has greatly influenced Japanese wrestling.
What This Means for WWE and Fans
The decision by both John Cena and AJ Styles to retire in 2026 signals a major transition period for WWE. Cena, long considered a face of the company, together with Styles, will leave behind significant legacies that have shaped modern wrestling. Their final matches, including the upcoming Crown Jewel event and potential WrestleMania appearances, are likely to draw considerable attention from fans worldwide.
Styles’ openness about retirement and desire to face Japanese legends like Tanahashi also highlights the global connections and respect between wrestling promotions in the U.S. and Japan. Fans can expect an emotionally charged farewell to two of wrestling’s most influential figures, with their retirements marking the end of an era and paving the way for a new generation of performers.
2025 will see John Cena retire.
2026 will see AJ Styles retire.
Two all-time greats departing with a one-of-one legacy. pic.twitter.com/Wk9eRjn6Xj
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) September 25, 2025
