During a recent episode of his podcast Grilling JR, legendary wrestling commentator Jim Ross spoke about AJ Styles’ retirement match in WWE, which took place in Riyadh. The bout ended with Gunther forcing Styles to pass out from a sleeper hold, officially closing the chapter on Styles’ full-time WWE career. Ross voiced frustration over the subdued nature of the send-off, believing it deserved a more impactful presentation. His comments reflect growing concern about how major wrestling departures are handled in the current WWE landscape, with AJ Styles’ WWE retirement becoming a key example.
Ross Reflects on the Match’s Lackluster Presentation
Jim Ross described the event as lacking excitement and presence, saying,
“I was a little underwhelmed after the match with Gunther and AJ. I was a little underwhelmed. I thought it should have been a bigger dog and pony show. That’s just me, but that’s how I felt when the match was over.”
This reaction suggests that Ross expected a more celebrated farewell for someone of Styles’ stature, especially considering his long-standing contributions to WWE and pro wrestling as a whole.
Desire to Call More AJ Styles Matches
Ross also expressed enthusiasm for the idea of returning to announce AJ Styles matches, highlighting Styles’ continued appeal.
“Oh, hell yeah, it’d be great. That’d certainly give me ample encouragement to return to the road, to know that I got to call an AJ Styles TV main event when I got back,”
Ross remarked. This underscores the high regard he holds for Styles as a performer, contrasting with the disappointment over the retirement match’s modest production.
Current Wrestling Scene and Opportunities Ahead
Addressing the broader state of professional wrestling, Ross noted that while some storylines across brands like AEW show promise, there remains confusion and uncertainty. He said,
“It’s funny that there’s some good stuff being done storyline-wise in both brands. And I think maybe it’s part of it, just because people aren’t 100% sure what’s going down. There’s a lot of blanks. There’s a lot of voids, in my opinion. But they can turn all those around, they, meaning AEW, and see where it takes us.”
What’s Next for AJ Styles?
On Styles’ professional future, Ross suggested that Styles is unlikely to return as a full-time competitor but could make select appearances on his own terms. He emphasized Styles’ value as a draw, noting,
“But I do think he’s done as a full timer. If I were him, I’d pick my spots and work only when I wanted to and where I wanted to, with who I wanted to. He’s earned that. He’s earned that, so — and the thing about it, as a promoter he’s going to make any card that you put him on better. So if your big shows to get that one big step up and upgrade. AJ is your guy. But I don’t see how the hell WWE could risk [him] getting hurt in somebody else’s ring.”
Jim Ross’ candid take not only highlights the frustration surrounding AJ Styles’ final WWE moments but also raises questions about how wrestling promotions handle star retirements and transitions. As Styles moves into a more selective phase of his career, the wrestling world will watch closely to see where and how he next appears.
