AJ Styles Retirement
After 28 phenomenal years in professional wrestling, AJ Styles puts his career on the line against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026 on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 48-year-old legend—called "the best to ever do it" by John Cena—faces the possibility of his journey ending exactly ten years after his WWE debut.
Is AJ Styles Retiring?
Yes, AJ Styles confirmed his retirement plans in early January 2026 on The Undertaker's "Six Feet Under" podcast, revealing his WWE contract expires at year's end with no intention to re-sign. He faces World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026 (January 31) in a career-on-the-line match. If Styles loses, his WWE career ends immediately. If he wins, the storyline likely continues toward a potential final match at WrestleMania 42.
AJ Styles vs Gunther – Royal Rumble 2026
The retirement match builds from John Cena's final defeat. Gunther has 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
"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
Career on the LineCurrent
vs Gunther at Royal Rumble (Jan 31)
Potential final match
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 career-ending storyline and legacy.
AJ Styles faces World Heavyweight Champion Gunther in a career-on-the-line match at Royal Rumble 2026 on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. If Styles loses, his WWE career ends immediately.
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 has 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."
If Styles wins at Royal Rumble 2026, the storyline likely continues toward a potential final match at WrestleMania 42. A win would also make him World Heavyweight Champion, adding another title to his legendary resume.
AJ Styles has been wrestling professionally for 28 years, debuting in 1998 as a masked character named "Mr. Olympia" in National Championship Wrestling in Georgia.
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.
AJ Styles has 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).
If Styles defeats Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026, the storyline could extend to a final match at WrestleMania 42. This would give fans a proper farewell on WWE's biggest stage, similar to how The Undertaker's career concluded.
Follow The Phenomenal One's Final Chapter
Stay updated with SEScoops for complete Royal Rumble 2026 coverage, AJ Styles news, and his potential WrestleMania farewell.
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) is putting his 28-year career on the line against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026 on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 48-year-old confirmed his retirement plans on The Undertaker's podcast, revealing his WWE contract expires in 2026 with no plans to re-sign.
Styles' journey spans 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-present) 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.
Whether his career ends at Royal Rumble or extends to WrestleMania 42, AJ Styles has secured his place among professional wrestling's immortals. For the latest updates, check out the AJ Styles profile, Royal Rumble 2026 coverage, Gunther news, or browse all WWE news.
