On February 23, 2026, during WWE Monday Night Raw in Atlanta, AJ Styles officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling, marking the end of an era. The highly anticipated announcement was made at a special celebration honoring Styles’ career, where he removed his gloves and vest in the ring, symbolizing his departure from active competition and setting the stage for his WWE Hall of Fame induction.
The news of AJ Styles WWE retirement closes weeks of speculation about the legendary wrestler’s future, confirming that he will not pursue contracts with other promotions such as TNA, New Japan, or AEW. This decisive moment was highlighted by the presence of many WWE Superstars and a surprise visit from The Undertaker, who announced Styles as the newest Hall of Fame inductee for April.
Highlights From WWE Monday Night Raw on February 23, 2026
The episode began with commentary from Michael Cole and Corey Graves celebrating AJ Styles’ career, but the tribute was interrupted by Gunther, who dismissed Styles’ legacy and provoked the audience. After a tense exchange, security removed Gunther as Cody Rhodes appeared to confront him backstage, adding further drama to the evening.
Jey Uso emerged victorious in a triple threat match against Bronson Reed and Original El Grande Americano, securing the final men’s spot in the upcoming Elimination Chamber event. Simultaneously, Raquel Rodriguez defeated Kairi Sane and IYO SKY, claiming the final women’s spot in the Chamber as well.
Liv Morgan took center stage to discuss her Royal Rumble victory and hinted at her WrestleMania 42 opponent. After a tense interaction with Stephanie Vaquer, Morgan attacked Vaquer, officially setting up their match for the event. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar made a rare Raw appearance, backed by Paul Heyman, who issued an Open Challenge for WrestleMania 42 in an attempt to find a worthy contender.
CM Punk also addressed the crowd, focusing on his upcoming matches against Finn Balor and Roman Reigns, expressing confidence in his path forward while reserving respect for AJ Styles’ moment.
Complete Match Outcomes on WWE Raw Ahead of Elimination Chamber
The following results set the stage for this weekend’s Elimination Chamber matches:
- Jey Uso defeated Bronson Reed and Original El Grande Americano by pinfall to secure a spot in the men’s Elimination Chamber.
- Nattie won against Maxxine Dupri via referee stoppage.
- Je’Von Evans defeated Kofi Kingston by pinfall.
- Raquel Rodriguez defeated Kairi Sane and IYO SKY by pinfall to claim her place in the women’s Elimination Chamber.
Significant Moments That Defined WWE Raw on February 23
The night opened with high tension after Gunther interrupted an AJ Styles tribute, deriding the crowd’s respect for Styles and other past legends such as Bill Goldberg and John Cena. Adam Pearce stepped in to restore order, ejecting Gunther from the arena and prompting a backstage confrontation involving Dragon Lee and Cody Rhodes.
As Cody Rhodes attempted to refocus attention back to Styles, The Vision and Austin Theory crashed the celebration, sparking a heated exchange that culminated with Jey Uso arriving to support Rhodes. Liv Morgan’s confrontation with Stephanie Vaquer led to an unexpected attack, setting their WrestleMania 42 match in motion.
Brock Lesnar’s rare appearance was underscored by Paul Heyman’s monologue connecting Lesnar’s legacy to historic WWE moments, including his record-breaking victories over The Undertaker. Heyman called on any worthy adversary to accept Lesnar’s Open Challenge at WrestleMania 42, further intensifying anticipation for the event.
AJ Styles’ emotional speech highlighted his journey from international venues like the Tokyo Dome and Japan to becoming a WWE stalwart, while also expressing regret over the sacrifices made, particularly time lost with his family. Placing his gloves and vest in the ring, Styles symbolically ended his in-ring career, receiving standing ovations as The Undertaker made a dramatic appearance to announce his Hall of Fame induction.
Jey Uso and Raquel Rodriguez Qualify for Elimination Chamber Showdowns
The final Elimination Chamber participants were sealed with Jey Uso earning his spot against Bronson Reed, who suffered a biceps injury during their match, and Original El Grande Americano. Uso’s victory places him on a path for a potential WrestleMania championship confrontation with Drew McIntyre, with whom he shares a deep competitive history.
On the women’s side, Raquel Rodriguez clinched her Elimination Chamber position, setting up a high-stakes clash with Jade Cargill for the Women’s Championship in Sin City. These matchups promise to be pivotal in shaping WrestleMania 42’s title picture.
Potential Opponents for Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 Challenge
Paul Heyman’s announcement of Brock Lesnar’s Open Challenge has ignited speculation about his WrestleMania 42 opponent. Two names have surfaced prominently: Oba Femi and LA Knight. Oba Femi is viewed as a likely candidate to deliver a monumental contest with Lesnar, while LA Knight remains a compelling storyline choice, particularly after his elimination of Lesnar from the Royal Rumble.
The choice of opponent will heavily influence the event’s main event dynamics, as Lesnar’s presence continues to dominate the WWE landscape leading up to Sin City.
AJ Styles’ Retirement Marks the End of a Wrestling Legend’s Career
AJ Styles’ decision to retire in his hometown of Atlanta, following a heartfelt and public farewell, marks a significant moment in WWE history. His career, spanning top international venues including the Tokyo Dome and prominent domestic events, showcased his versatility, resilience, and impact on modern wrestling.
This farewell adds a unique layer of finality, as Styles chose to conclude his career surrounded by fellow wrestlers and fans who witnessed his journey, rather than continuing with partial returns elsewhere. His Hall of Fame induction will celebrate his contribution to the industry and solidify his legacy as one of the greatest performers of his generation.
