On Monday night at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, AJ Styles was taken by surprise when The Undertaker announced that he would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This revelation came immediately following Styles’ heartfelt retirement speech in his home state of Georgia, marking the end of his nearly 30-year wrestling career.
AJ Styles’ Emotional Farewell and Unexpected Announcement
AJ Styles delivered a touching retirement address reflecting on his extensive journey through the wrestling industry, including his time in TNA Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and his decade-long tenure in WWE. As he concluded by placing his jacket and gloves in the center of the ring, the Atlanta crowd gave him a thunderous ovation. Moments later, The Undertaker made a surprise appearance on his motorcycle to reveal that Styles would be the second inductee announced for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
This moment was a genuine shock to Styles, as WWE management chose not to inform him beforehand. Bryan Alvarez reported on this authentic reaction, stating,
“That whole thing at the end with the Undertaker and the Hall of Fame announcement was a legitimate surprise to AJ, who they didn’t clue in.”
Reflecting on a Career Spanning the Globe
During his retirement speech, Styles acknowledged the many milestones of his career, highlighting memorable moments from the Tokyo Dome to WrestleMania. Despite his successes, he expressed regret over the personal sacrifices he made, particularly missing important family milestones. Styles emphasized the significance of his family, declaring his greatest achievement is having
“the best wife in the world.”
He also shared why he chose to reserve his retirement gesture for Atlanta instead of his final match at the Royal Rumble, where he was defeated by GUNTHER in a Career Killer match. Styles explained,
“I didn’t take [the gloves] off at the Rumble because I wanted to do it in Atlanta instead.”
2026 WWE Hall of Fame Selections and Future Plans
Alongside AJ Styles, Stephanie McMahon is currently the only other confirmed inductee for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Both announcements were presented by The Undertaker, with McMahon’s induction revealed during the Wrestlepalooza event in September 2025. While WWE has not yet finalized all ceremony details, the event is anticipated to take place in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend.
The surprise announcement of Styles’ induction following his retirement highlights WWE’s recognition of his significant contributions to the sport and the emotional weight of bidding farewell in front of his home fans. This honor underscores the lasting impact AJ Styles has made on professional wrestling and sets the stage for a celebrated tribute in the coming year.
