The Undertaker Surprises Fans, Announces AJ Styles WWE Hall Induction

AJ Styles
Image of: AJ Styles [Image Source: ECONOMICTIMES]
RAW

On the February 24, 2026, episode of WWE RAW, AJ Styles received a heartfelt tribute culminating with his official announcement as a member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This surprise induction was revealed by The Undertaker during AJ Styles’s emotional farewell segment, marking a significant milestone for the celebrated wrestler. The special moment took place at the WWE Performance Center, bringing together many prominent figures from the wrestling world to celebrate Styles’s career.

Event Highlights and Match Results from RAW

The night began with Michael Cole and Corey Graves announcing a tribute to AJ Styles. However, Gunther interrupted, claiming that he should receive the recognition instead, citing that he had retired several top stars including Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles. Adam Pearce promptly escorted Gunther out after security intervention, and Dragon Lee attacked Gunther shortly after. Backstage, Gunther shared an intense staredown with Cody Rhodes.

Cody Rhodes then appeared to address the crowd but was interrupted by The Vision and Logan Paul, who confidently predicted that Bronson Reed would win the upcoming Elimination Chamber.

The Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualification match featured Jey Uso, World Tag Team Champion, who defeated Original El Grande Americano and Bronson Reed. Unfortunately, Reed sustained a distal biceps tear during the bout and was announced to be out indefinitely by Michael Cole.

Women’s Division Developments and Key Confrontations

Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan confronted Stephanie Vaquer and Jade Cargill, attacking Vaquer and later selecting Cargill, the Women’s World Champion, as her WrestleMania 42 opponent. Meanwhile, the winner of the upcoming Women’s Elimination Chamber match will challenge Cargill for the Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42.

In the Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying matches, Raquel Rodriguez secured a victory over Kairi Sane and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion IYO SKY. Another notable result was Nattie defeating Maxxine Dupri via referee stoppage.

Returns and Special Appearances for AJ Styles Tribute

Several WWE veterans made notable returns during the tribute segment for AJ Styles. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson appeared on WWE television for the first time in a while to honor Styles’s career. Similarly, Frankie Kazarian and Abyss were present, adding to the night’s nostalgic atmosphere. Omos also returned to RAW, having been absent from WWE programming for years, but active in AAA. Notably, Omos had previously held the RAW Tag Team Championship alongside AJ Styles.

Other Storylines and Upcoming Matches Announced

In other highlights, Trick Williams expressed his determination to win the Elimination Chamber match. Finn Balor declined to assist Dominik Mysterio in defending the Intercontinental Championship against Penta at the following week’s RAW. Rusev and Oba Femi had a tense exchange backstage, neither backing down after Oba challenged Rusev’s recent behavior.

Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis announced they would open a mystery crate during the Elimination Chamber event, adding intrigue to the proceedings. Additionally, Becky Lynch, Women’s Intercontinental Champion, made a pointed comment comparing AJ Lee unfavorably among retiring wrestlers this year.

Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman appeared with an open challenge for WrestleMania 42, offering Lesnar’s opponent an opportunity to face the former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Lesnar is scheduled to make five more appearances on the road to WrestleMania in cities including San Antonio, Boston, New York City, Houston, and Sacramento.

AJ Styles’s Farewell and Hall of Fame Announcement

AJ Styles appeared visibly emotional during his farewell segment, leaving his jacket and gloves in the ring as a symbolic gesture. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to his wife, describing her as

“the best wife in the world and my biggest flex.”

As Styles delivered his farewell, the entire WWE roster assembled on stage to honor him. The Undertaker then made a surprise return and announced AJ Styles as an inductee to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026, a moment celebrated by fans and wrestlers alike.

THE DEADMAN 🤝 AJ@undertaker | @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/yLGuLk69te— WWE (@WWE) February 24, 2026

The NEWEST inductee into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame! ✨@AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/MAXc5hHODu— WWE (@WWE) February 24, 2026

AJ Styles is OFFICIALLY a member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026! 😤@AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/3VJrHu3VOc— WWE (@WWE) February 24, 2026

Significance of AJ Styles’s Hall of Fame Induction

AJ Styles’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame marks the culmination of an important chapter in professional wrestling, recognizing his contributions to the sport globally. Known for his in-ring skill and longevity, Styles’s acknowledgment by The Undertaker, one of WWE’s most iconic figures, adds considerable weight to this honor. This induction not only solidifies Styles’s legacy but also sets the stage for future Hall of Fame events as WWE continues honoring its legendary talent.

With the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania 42 approaching, the momentum from this tribute is expected to energize WWE’s storytelling and fan engagement, particularly within the men’s and women’s championship scenes, which are entering pivotal phases.

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Michael jones
Michael jones
Michael Jones is a journalist at CynicalTimes.org, dedicated to covering the WWE Raw Men’s Division. With one year of experience in pro wrestling journalism, he provides fans with up-to-date coverage of major matches, superstar rivalries, and evolving storylines from Monday Night Raw. Michael’s reporting dives into the personalities, promos, and pivotal moments that define the Raw brand, offering insights into character arcs, backstage developments, and pay-per-view buildup. He brings a fresh, detail-oriented perspective to his writing, aiming to inform, entertain, and connect readers to the energy and excitement of WWE’s flagship show. Whether it's a rising contender or a veteran champion, Michael highlights the key figures driving the Raw men’s division forward.