AJ Styles was on the verge of moving to AEW in 2025 but decided at the last minute to remain with WWE for one final contract. According to a report dated January 29, 2026, from Self Made Pro, the former WWE Champion had made a definite choice to jump to AEW before re-signing with WWE on a one-year deal that was quietly finalized in February 2025. This agreement extends through February 2026, allowing Styles to conclude his career during WrestleMania season.
Background on AJ Styles’ Contract Decision
The report highlights that AJ Styles had seriously contemplated joining AEW not only once but twice in the past seven years. Before making his recent one-year extension with WWE, he was genuinely set on moving to AEW. A source stated,
“I can tell you, before I pass it to you all, that on two occasions in the last seven years, AJ Styles not only seriously considered going to AEW—he was actually going to go to AEW. And I can tell you that last year, before he signed that one-year extension, he absolutely, for a very brief period, was going to go to AEW. It was a thing he decided he was going to do.”
Upcoming Career-Ending Match at Royal Rumble
This news emerges days ahead of AJ Styles’ critical match at WWE’s Royal Rumble event on January 31, 2026, in Saudi Arabia. Styles is scheduled to face GUNTHER in a high-stakes bout where his career will be on the line, with the possibility of immediate retirement should he lose. The match marks a significant moment in his wrestling legacy and is anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike.
Response to Criticism About Career Choices
Earlier in January, Styles responded sharply to a fan’s criticism on Twitter, who suggested he chose WWE over AEW for a larger paycheck rather than finishing his career with the latter. Addressing the accusation, Styles replied,
“I’ll take dumbest things to ever have been said for 100, Alex,”
displaying his frustration toward the claim.
Previous Conversations with AEW and WWE Loyalty
AJ Styles has openly said that he spoke with The Young Bucks in 2019 about the possibility of joining AEW, but formal contract negotiations never occurred, leading him to re-sign with WWE at that time. This adds more context to his longstanding connections and serious consideration of AEW amid his enduring WWE tenure.
Implications of AJ Styles’ Career Choices
As AJ Styles’ retirement match approaches with fresh insights into his near-defections to AEW, his final chapter in professional wrestling draws intense focus. His decision to stay with WWE despite opportunities elsewhere underscores the complexity of career moves at wrestling’s highest levels. This moment holds significance for fans and wrestling history, with Styles’ final matches expected to define his legacy.
