WWE is set to honor AJ Styles with a special tribute on Monday Night Raw, taking place this Monday at the Allstate Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The event is notable for including members of the SmackDown roster, who are traveling specifically to participate in the celebration of The Phenomenal One. This location holds particular significance as it is near Styles’s hometown of Gainesville, adding a personal touch to the occasion. The tribute follows Styles’s recent high-profile match at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he risked his career against Gunther but ultimately lost by technical submission.
Additional Matches and Appearances Scheduled for February 23 Raw
The episode on February 23 will not only highlight the AJ Styles tribute but will also feature several major segments. Brock Lesnar, “The Beast,” is advertised to return for the first time since the Royal Rumble, making his appearance highly anticipated by fans. Furthermore, there will be important Elimination Chamber qualifiers, including a women’s match with Raquel Rodriguez, IYO SKY, and Kairi Sane, and a men’s qualifier featuring Bronson Reed, Jey Uso, and Original El Grande Americano. These matches set the stage for key championship opportunities later in the season.
Questions Remain About AJ Styles’s Future Amid Tribute Speculation
Following his defeat to Gunther, Styles appeared to hint at retirement by briefly removing his gloves, although he put them back on before exiting the ring. This gesture left fans uncertain about whether the tribute will mark the end of his in-ring career or serve as a major milestone celebration. WWE’s decision to involve both Raw and SmackDown talent suggests that this tribute carries significant emotional weight and could signal a transition point for the two-time WWE Champion. The upcoming Raw episode is expected to clarify Styles’s future role within the company.
