Less than a month after AJ Styles’ retirement match against Gunther, WWE announced a special tribute to Styles will take place on Monday Night RAW on February 23, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. The announcement came during the February 16 edition of RAW, featuring a video montage highlighting both his early career and his tenure in WWE since 2016.
The segment, titled A Tribute to AJ Styles, is expected to honor his contributions, though it remains unclear what the tribute will include or whether Styles himself will make an appearance during the event.
Fan Reactions Fuel Speculation About AJ Styles’ Retirement Status
The tribute announcement has ignited speculation among fans questioning whether AJ Styles is truly retired. Some believe the celebration signals an impending return to WWE programming, suggesting his retirement may not be permanent. One fan remarked,
Okay[,] so I don’t think he’s AEW bound[,] guys.
Others theorize that the retirement was part of a storyline, proposing that Styles will
unretire and face Gunther at WrestleMania
to conclude their ongoing rivalry.
Styles’ retirement followed his loss to Gunther by technical submission at the Royal Rumble, a finish viewed by many as an abrupt ending to his WWE career. The upcoming tribute could serve as a farewell speech or a platform to announce his next move in WWE.
The Potential Impact of the February 23 Celebration
Given the uncertainty, the tribute event is poised to be a key moment for Styles and WWE fans alike. If he chooses to retire officially, it would mark the end of a notable WWE chapter starting in 2016. However, if Styles decides to continue wrestling, this celebration might launch the next phase of his career and further develop his story with Gunther.
We honor @AJStylesOrg NEXT WEEK in Atlanta, Georgia! 🫶 pic.twitter.com/NLeb1sQPAQ
— WWE (@WWE) February 17, 2026
