AJ Styles has signaled to the WWE Universe that his in-ring career is approaching its conclusion, hinting before SummerSlam that this event might be his last. Despite his hopes, Styles was defeated by Dominik Mysterio at SummerSlam, underscoring the possibility that his retirement is imminent. Utilizing the AI’s prediction, the end of AJ Styles’ WWE retirement storyline is expected to unfold at WrestleMania 42, where he will face off against emerging star Carmelo Hayes.
Veteran AJ Styles to Lead a Team Against Rising Stars at Survivor Series
The AI forecasts that AJ Styles’ retirement narrative will gain momentum as WWE builds toward Survivor Series. During this period, WWE programming will likely emphasize Styles’ aging and doubts about competing with younger talent, shown through interviews, commentary, and on-screen conversations. After a series of recent losses and lingering injuries, Styles is expected to express a desire to prove that the veteran generation remains relevant in the evolving WWE landscape.
This will culminate in a traditional-style Survivor Series match, a format that WWE has not fully utilized in recent years. Styles will captain a team composed of veteran wrestlers, setting up a symbolic face-off against the newer WWE talent. While the AI does not explicitly identify all members of the younger faction, Carmelo Hayes is projected to be a key figure on the opposing side, emphasizing the generational clash between the established and upcoming wrestlers.
Carmelo Hayes Positioned as AJ Styles’ Main Rival in Road to WrestleMania
Despite AJ Styles’ numerous achievements, the career highlight of headlining WrestleMania remains elusive. AI envisions the retirement storyline evolving to spotlight Styles’ quest to secure that marquee moment. This pursuit will become a central theme during the buildup to the Royal Rumble, where Styles is expected to be booked as a serious contender, receiving strong backing from WWE creative.
Styles will likely display an impressive performance at the Royal Rumble, lasting over 30 minutes, reinforcing his status as a major player despite his veteran status. However, Carmelo Hayes will then intervene, eliminating Styles and igniting a heated rivalry. This feud will deepen through the Elimination Chamber event, where Hayes will again eliminate Styles, claiming the veteran is past his prime. This conflict is set to dominate WWE’s programming calendar for several months, keeping both wrestlers in the spotlight.
AJ Styles’ Final Match and Retirement to Take Place at WrestleMania 42
The AI predicts that the pinnacle of this storyline will occur at WrestleMania 42, where AJ Styles will risk his career in a match against Carmelo Hayes. Styles has wrestled in nine WrestleMania matches but has never headlined the event, while Hayes is yet to compete on that stage. This encounter will signify the passing of the torch, with Styles putting his legacy on the line to prove that veterans still possess the fire to compete at the highest level.
The storyline foresees Styles losing to Hayes in a decisive moment, effectively ending his active wrestling career. The night following WrestleMania, on Raw, Styles is expected to deliver a heartfelt retirement promo, formally bidding farewell to the ring. Further, the AI anticipates that Styles will return the next year to be honored with an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, with former rival and WWE icon John Cena presenting the induction.
The Importance of a Younger Opponent in Styles’ Retirement Narrative
Given AJ Styles’ decorated WWE tenure from 2016 to the present, including multiple championship reigns such as two WWE Championships, three United States Championships, one Intercontinental Championship, and a Raw Tag Team Championship, it is fitting that his final feud involves a rising star. AI emphasizes that this approach not only elevates the younger wrestler but also adds layered meaning to Styles’ retirement story.
The storyline’s tension arises from the clash between the older generation fighters and the new talent hungry to prove themselves, which is a compelling narrative device rarely fully utilized in recent WWE storytelling. Having a younger talent secure the victory by ending Styles’ career would provide a significant boost to that wrestler’s profile, while allowing Styles’ legacy to be properly honored and celebrated.
Carmelo Hayes fits this role well. His in-ring abilities and charisma position him as a credible successor capable of delivering high-quality matches with Styles, ensuring both competitors finish their storyline on a memorable note. This transition would grant Styles a storied sendoff and offer Hayes an opportunity to ascend to new heights within WWE.
While it remains uncertain whether this exact storyline will be realized by WWE management, the AI’s prediction constructs a plausible, emotionally resonant ending for one of the company’s most talented performers. Such a retirement arc, bridging the gap between veterans and upcoming stars, could provide meaningful storytelling leading into WrestleMania 42 and beyond.
