AJ Styles officially retired from professional wrestling following his loss to Gunther at the WWE Royal Rumble 2026. His former Bullet Club teammate, Tama Tonga, now a fellow WWE Superstar, expressed his respect and admiration for Styles amid this significant moment.
Legacy of AJ Styles within the Bullet Club
AJ Styles rose to prominence in the Bullet Club after Finn Balor’s departure to WWE. Balor initially formed the faction with Bad Luck Fale, along with founding members Karl Anderson and Tama Tonga. When Styles joined New Japan Pro Wrestling, he quickly became the faction’s leading figure, capturing the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and elevating the group’s status.
Reflecting on their time together, Tama Tonga shared a photo of himself and Styles from their Bullet Club days and posted a tribute on social media to honor “The Phenomenal One.”
“It’s been an honor. #ThePhenomenalOne #AJStyles,” wrote Tonga.
Confirmation of Retirement by Peter Rosenberg
Peter Rosenberg confirmed AJ Styles’ retirement, revealing a conversation he had with Styles backstage after the Royal Rumble defeat. During the event’s post-show, Rosenberg described how Styles affirmed that he was finished with wrestling.
He recalled:
“So just to be clear cause I know AJ went back into the ring. He went up there [and] took a second round of applause. I spoke to AJ, [and] it is very much the end. This is it for AJ Styles. He’s not the kind of guy who goes back on his word when he says he’s having a match with his career on the line. [Big] E and I sat there and watched him greet the entire men’s locker room. It was one of the great shows of respect I’ve ever seen (…) I went up to him, I’m like, ‘You’re really done?’ He’s like, ‘I’m done.’ I said, ‘You still look incredible in the ring.’ And he’s like, ‘I wanna get out before you see any different version of me,'”
Aftereffects of AJ Styles’ Retirement on WWE Storylines
Following Styles’ retirement, his former tag team partner Dragon Lee initiated a feud with Gunther on WWE RAW. During the segment, Gunther defeated Lee by chokehold, continuing the ongoing storyline tension surrounding Styles’ final opponent.
Significance of AJ Styles’ Career and Retirement
AJ Styles’ departure marks the end of an era in professional wrestling, especially for fans of the Bullet Club and New Japan Pro Wrestling lineage. His influence in WWE and beyond has been widely respected by fellow wrestlers like Tama Tonga and acknowledged by figures such as Peter Rosenberg. Styles’ choice to retire while still performing at a high level reflects his commitment to maintaining his legacy without diminishing his in-ring abilities. Moving forward, the WWE landscape will adjust to his absence, with storylines shifting around new rivalries and emerging stars.
It’s been an honor. #ThePhenomenalOne #AJStyles pic.twitter.com/QtokCyqOBZ
— Tama Tonga (@TamaTonga01) February 1, 2026
