AJ Styles officially ended his WWE career at the 2026 Royal Rumble, where he lost a high-stakes singles match against Gunther, putting his legacy on the line. This event held special meaning for Styles, as the Royal Rumble marked the occasion of his WWE debut a decade earlier. Originally, however, he intended to retire at WrestleMania, WWE’s flagship event.
In a recently released WWE vlog documenting the days leading to his final match, Styles reflected on his journey and shared heartfelt moments backstage with colleagues expressing gratitude for his impact on professional wrestling. He revealed that an injury sustained in October 2024 during a SmackDown match against Carmelo Hayes delayed his retirement plans. The foot injury was serious enough that many expected it would force him out of wrestling permanently.
After recovering and returning at the 2025 Royal Rumble, Styles felt unprepared to retire at WrestleMania 41. He explained that retiring so soon after coming back from such a challenging injury didn’t feel authentic to his experience as a performer.
“Everybody wants to retire at WrestleMania, the biggest show of the year that we do. I was going to do exactly that, but I just came back from an injury that was supposed to retire me. It retires most. Once I got healed up and was comfortable enough running and doing what I need to do to be AJ Styles, it just didn’t feel right to come back for two months just to retire. It didn’t seem right.”
?AJ Styles, WWE Superstar
Choosing the Royal Rumble as a Meaningful Farewell
With WrestleMania no longer a fitting stage for his send-off, Styles opted to conclude his in-ring career at the Royal Rumble, the event where he first captivated WWE fans. He expressed that ending his journey on this platform would carry significant personal value.
During the vlog, Styles voiced his hope to finish the match strong and leave the ring with his signature symbol proudly displayed one final time.
“I thought what a better way to be able to leave on the pay-per-view where you debuted. Hopefully at the end of this match, I stand up on two feet. I throw up the P1 that’s on my gloves one more time. I walk.”
?AJ Styles, WWE Superstar
Looking Ahead to AJ Styles’ Tribute on WWE Programming
Since his loss at the Royal Rumble, AJ Styles has not appeared on WWE television. However, fans can expect a dedicated tribute to his remarkable career on the February 23, 2026, episode of Monday Night RAW. The program aims to honor his contributions and celebrate his status as a former World Champion and one of WWE’s most influential performers.
AJ Styles’ decision to shift his retirement highlights the physical and emotional challenges faced by athletes as injuries impact career milestones. His farewell at the Royal Rumble not only honors his roots but also provides a memorable conclusion to a storied tenure in professional wrestling.
