At the 2026 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles competed in what was announced as his final match and has been named to this year’s WWE Hall of Fame Class. Despite leaving his gloves and jacket in the ring, Bully Ray expressed doubts about Styles’ retirement during a recent interview on Busted Open Radio, suggesting the retirement might not be permanent. Bully pointed to Styles’ recent WWE Raw appearance in Georgia as a signal that his career could continue.
“I still stand by what I said a couple of weeks ago: I do not think AJ Styles has wrestled his last match. … There’s no way in hell that AJ Styles is done-done.”
– Bully Ray, Wrestler and Commentator
Unplanned Symbolism Behind Styles Leaving Gear in the Ring
Bully shared his view that leaving gloves in the ring wasn’t part of a pre-planned farewell ceremony at the Royal Rumble. According to him, the gesture was a response to ongoing uncertainty about Styles’ future, reflecting how many were eager for more from the WWE star. Bully suggested this act was driven by behind-the-scenes discussions about potential next steps.
“They needed to do that because there were too many conversations going on there as to what could be next for AJ.”
– Bully Ray, Wrestler and Commentator
WWE’s Flexible Approach to AJ Styles’ Potential Return
Bully Ray further explained his theory that WWE intentionally left the door open for Styles to re-enter the wrestling scene, either with WWE or elsewhere. He believes the company wanted to conclude Styles’ WWE storyline cleanly while allowing him the freedom to explore other opportunities outside WWE.
“I think the WWE, while AJ was still under contract, said, ‘We need to do this show and we need to put – we need to close the door on AJ as much as we can possibly close the door.”
– Bully Ray, Wrestler and Commentator
“Maybe even behind the scenes, they’re like, ‘Listen, if you ever get the itch to go someplace else, please call us first.’
– Bully Ray, Wrestler and Commentator
Last Appearances Hint at Uncertainty Over Retirement
According to Bully, Styles’ final televised moments were orchestrated by WWE to address fans’ questions about his future. Bully emphasized that if Styles was fully certain about retiring, he would have left his gloves in the ring immediately at the Royal Rumble rather than waiting until his later appearance on Raw. The vest and gloves left behind symbolize a farewell to his WWE career for now, yet not necessarily an end to wrestling entirely.
“He made it a point last night to go right to the question. Everybody’s saying ‘why?’ He needed to – they needed to put a period or an exclamation point.”
– Bully Ray, Wrestler and Commentator
“So, he left his vest, and he leaves his gloves, and his WWE career is over – without a doubt.”
– Bully Ray, Wrestler and Commentator
Possibility of Future Matches Outside WWE
While acknowledging that Styles’ days in WWE might be behind him, Bully suggests the wrestler could still have significant matches ahead in other promotions, such as TNA or in Japan. He also expressed enthusiasm for a potential rivalry with Will Ospreay, noting that such a contest wouldn’t require extensive storylines to be compelling.
“So AJ can go have a final match in TNA, he can go and have a final match in Japan, and then maybe a fantasy match.”
– Bully Ray, Wrestler and Commentator
Implications for AJ Styles’ Wrestling Career Moving Forward
Bully Ray’s perspective introduces a layer of complexity to the AJ Styles retirement speculation, suggesting that despite official announcements, Styles may not be finished in the wrestling world. The openness from WWE for potential returns and Bully’s predictions about matches abroad mean Styles’ fans might still see the Phenomenal One in action. As this situation evolves, observers will be watching whether Styles pursues new ventures or eventually embraces permanent retirement.
