AJ Styles Has Retired
After 28 phenomenal years in professional wrestling, AJ Styles' legendary WWE career came to an emotional end at Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Phenomenal One tapped out to World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, fulfilling the career-on-the-line stipulation. In a poignant post-match moment, Styles removed his wrestling gloves to place them in the ring—but then slipped them back on, leaving fans speculating about potential appearances in AEW or TNA Wrestling.
Did AJ Styles Retire?
Yes, AJ Styles' WWE career officially ended on January 31, 2026, when he lost to World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Phenomenal One tapped out to Gunther's submission hold, fulfilling the career-on-the-line stipulation. It marks the third career Gunther has ended—following Goldberg (July 2025) and John Cena (December 2025). In an emotional post-match moment, Styles removed his wrestling gloves but then slipped them back on, sparking speculation about potential appearances in AEW or TNA Wrestling where his WWE non-compete would not apply.
AJ Styles vs Gunther – Royal Rumble 2026 Result
AJ Styles' legendary WWE career came to a heartbreaking end at Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Phenomenal One tapped out to World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, marking the third career Gunther has ended in recent months—following Goldberg (July 2025) and John Cena (December 2025). The Riyadh crowd rose to their feet to celebrate Styles' Hall of Fame-worthy career in an emotional post-match moment. [4]
- Styles tapped out to Gunther, ending his WWE career per the stipulation
- Gunther now called WWE's "career killer" after retiring Goldberg, Cena, and Styles
- Post-match: Styles removed his gloves but then slipped them back on
- Fans speculating about potential AEW or TNA Wrestling appearances
How We Got Here – The Gunther Feud
The retirement match built from John Cena's final defeat. Gunther positioned himself as WWE's "career killer," having retired both Goldberg at Saturday Night's Main Event in July 2025 and John Cena in December 2025—making Cena tap out for the first time in over 20 years. Styles took exception to Gunther's disrespect toward Cena, confronting him on January 6, 2026 Raw with a slap across the face. [1]
- January 12 match: Styles locked in Calf Crusher, Gunther tapped on thigh (unseen by ref)
- Gunther stole victory with low blow and powerbomb
- January 20 in Belfast: Gunther demanded career-on-the-line stipulation
- After consulting his wife, Styles accepted the challenge
AJ Styles vs CM Punk – Raw, January 26, 2026
On the Jan. 26, 2026 episode of Raw in Toronto, AJ Styles challenged World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk in a first-time singles clash under the WWE banner, just five days before his career-on-the-line match with Gunther. The show repeatedly framed the bout as what could be Styles' final Raw match, adding emotional weight as two decades of parallel careers finally collided on WWE television. [3]
- Back-and-forth main event saw Punk hit Go To Sleep at ringside
- Styles connected with the Styles Clash in dramatic sequence
- Finn Bálor stormed the ring and assaulted Punk, causing disqualification
- Post-show: Styles addressed Punk, saying "I love you, brother" after thanking him for sharing the ring
"Mr. TNA" – Building a Legacy
Styles signed with the fledgling TNA in May 2002, appearing on their very first weekly pay-per-view on June 19. He remained their cornerstone for over eleven years, earning the nickname "Mr. TNA." His September 2005 triple threat against Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe at Unbreakable earned a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer and is widely considered the greatest match in TNA history.
- 5 World Heavyweight titles (3 NWA, 2 TNA)
- 6 X Division Championships (inaugural champion)
- First TNA Triple Crown & Grand Slam Champion
- First TNA wrestler ranked #1 in PWI 500 (2010)
- Departed December 2013 after refusing 60% pay cut
New Japan – Global Phenomenon
Styles' roughly 22-month run in New Japan Pro-Wrestling elevated him from American independent star to worldwide phenomenon. He debuted at Invasion Attack by attacking IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada, revealing himself as Bullet Club's newest member replacing Prince Devitt (now Finn Bálor).
- 2x IWGP Heavyweight Champion (307 days combined)
- First American to hold IWGP title since Brock Lesnar (2005)
- 2014 G1 Climax match vs Suzuki: WON Match of the Year
- Final NJPW match: Dream match vs Shinsuke Nakamura (4¾ stars)
- Kenny Omega took Bullet Club leadership after Styles' departure
The Phenomenal One's Path
From masked wrestler in Georgia armories to main eventing WrestleMania against The Undertaker—28 years of making the impossible look effortless.
Pro Wrestling Debut
Debuted as "Mr. Olympia" in NCW Georgia
National Championship Wrestling
Becomes AJ Styles
Rechristened when NCW merged into NWA Wildside
December 1999
WCW & WWF Tryout
Won WWF tryout match with Shooting Star Press
Declined developmental to support wife's college
TNA Founding Member
Appeared on TNA's first weekly PPV (June 19)
Became "Mr. TNA"
Five-Star Classic
vs Daniels vs Joe at Unbreakable
Greatest TNA match ever
PWI #1 Ranked
First TNA wrestler atop PWI 500
TNA World Champion
TNA Departure
Left after refusing 60% pay cut
11 years as company cornerstone
Bullet Club Leader
Debuted in NJPW, joined Bullet Club
IWGP Heavyweight Champion
WWE Debut
#3 entrant in Royal Rumble—electric reaction
Ten years before potential retirement match
First WWE Title
Defeated Dean Ambrose at Backlash
371-day reign would follow
Boneyard Match
WrestleMania 36 cinematic classic vs Undertaker
Taker's final chapter
WWE Grand Slam
22nd wrestler to achieve the honor
First to achieve in both WWE & TNA
Final Raw Match
vs CM Punk for World Heavyweight Title (Jan 26)
Ended via DQ when Finn Bálor attacked Punk
WWE Career EndsCurrent
Lost to Gunther at Royal Rumble (Jan 31)
Tapped out, ending 10-year WWE run
Why AJ Styles Is "The Best"
John Cena's Ultimate Praise
"Best to ever do it. Shawn's gonna be pissed... There's not a lot he can't do, and he makes difficult look easy. That is not God-given talent. That is practice." [2]
Three-Time PWI Wrestler of Year
Won PWI Wrestler of the Year consecutively from 2016-2018, tying Ric Flair's record. Named PWI Wrestler of the Decade in 2020.
Bridge Between Wrestling Worlds
Only the third man—after Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle—to hold both IWGP and WWE championships, bridging wrestling cultures rarely connected.
Defied Age Limitations
At 38 years old—an age when many wrestlers wind down—Styles began his most commercially successful chapter with his 2016 WWE debut.
Legendary Feuds & Matches
The rivalries and matches that cemented AJ Styles among professional wrestling's immortals.
vs John Cena
SummerSlam 2016 instant classic, PWI Match of the Year
vs The Undertaker
WrestleMania 36 Boneyard Match—cinematic masterpiece
vs Samoa Joe
TNA rivalry rekindled in WWE 2018
vs Kazuchika Okada
IWGP title battles in NJPW 2014-2015
vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Wrestle Kingdom dream match & WrestleMania 34
vs Christopher Daniels
TNA trilogy including 5-star Unbreakable match
Watch AJ Styles
AJ Styles Retirement FAQ
Everything you need to know about The Phenomenal One's retirement and what comes next.
Yes, AJ Styles' WWE career officially ended on January 31, 2026, when he tapped out to World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Per the career-on-the-line stipulation, Styles can no longer compete in WWE [4].
Possibly. In an emotional post-match moment, Styles removed his wrestling gloves to symbolically leave them in the ring—but then slipped them back on, sparking widespread speculation about potential appearances in AEW or TNA Wrestling. The stipulation only ended his WWE career, meaning his non-compete would not apply to other promotions [4].
AJ Styles' final WWE match was against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026 on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Styles tapped out to Gunther's submission hold, fulfilling the career-on-the-line stipulation [4].
In a poignant post-match moment, Styles removed his wrestling gloves to place them in the center of the ring—a symbolic gesture signaling the end. However, before laying them down, Styles slipped the gloves back on, leaving the door open for potential future appearances outside WWE [4].
Styles confirmed on The Undertaker's "Six Feet Under" podcast in early January 2026 that his WWE contract expires at year's end and he had no intention to re-sign [1]. He stated retirement is "the opportunity to go out on your own terms, not because of injury but standing on your own two feet."
AJ Styles wrestled professionally for 28 years, debuting in 1998 as a masked character named "Mr. Olympia" in National Championship Wrestling in Georgia. His WWE career spanned 10 years from his debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble to his retirement at the 2026 Royal Rumble.
AJ Styles (Allen Neal Jones) is 48 years old, born June 2, 1977, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He debuted in WWE at age 38 in the 2016 Royal Rumble and retired at 48.
AJ Styles held major world titles across three promotions: 2x WWE Champion (including a 371-day reign), 2x IWGP Heavyweight Champion in NJPW, and 5x World Heavyweight Champion in TNA (3 NWA, 2 TNA titles).
John Cena called AJ Styles "the best to ever do it" in December 2025, explicitly placing him above even Shawn Michaels [2]. Styles won PWI Wrestler of the Year three consecutive times (2016-2018), tying Ric Flair's record, and was named PWI Wrestler of the Decade in 2020.
Styles confronted Gunther after the "Ring General" retired John Cena in December 2025—making Cena tap out for the first time in over 20 years. Styles stated: "Wrestling is built on respect," and that his bond with Cena compelled him to answer Gunther's arrogance because "Cena couldn't" after retiring.
Several matches are considered career-defining: his September 2005 TNA triple threat vs Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe at Unbreakable (5-star rating from Dave Meltzer), his 2014 G1 Climax match vs Minoru Suzuki (WON Match of the Year), and his SummerSlam 2016 match vs John Cena (PWI Match of the Year).
Gunther has now ended three legendary careers: Goldberg (July 2025), John Cena (December 2025), and AJ Styles (January 2026). This has earned him the nickname WWE's "career killer" [4].
Follow The Phenomenal One's Next Chapter
Stay updated with SEScoops for the latest on AJ Styles' future—will he appear in AEW or TNA? Get all the news and rumors here.
AJ Styles NewsSources & Credits
Disclaimer
This page is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to WWE, TNA/Impact Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners.
The information presented on this page is based on wrestling programming storylines, interviews, and historical records. Retirement storylines in professional wrestling may evolve, and outcomes are subject to change based on creative decisions.
SEScoops is an independent news publication covering professional wrestling and related topics.
Latest AJ Styles News
About AJ Styles Retiring
AJ Styles (Allen Neal Jones) ended his WWE career after losing to World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026 on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Phenomenal One tapped out to Gunther's submission hold, fulfilling the career-on-the-line stipulation and marking the third WWE career Gunther has ended—following Goldberg and John Cena.
In an emotional post-match moment, Styles removed his wrestling gloves to place them in the ring—but then slipped them back on, sparking speculation about potential appearances in AEW or TNA Wrestling, where his WWE non-compete would not apply. The gesture left fans wondering if The Phenomenal One has one more chapter left.
Styles' legendary journey spanned three major promotions: TNA (2002-2013) where he earned the nickname "Mr. TNA" with 19 total championship reigns, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2014-2016) where he led Bullet Club and held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice, and WWE (2016-2026) where he became a 2x WWE Champion with a 371-day reign.
John Cena called Styles "the best to ever do it" in December 2025, placing him above even Shawn Michaels. Styles won PWI Wrestler of the Year three consecutive times (2016-2018), tying Ric Flair's record, and was named PWI Wrestler of the Decade in 2020.
For the latest updates on AJ Styles' future and whether he'll compete outside WWE, check out the AJ Styles profile, Royal Rumble 2026 coverage, Gunther news, or browse all WWE news.
