WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles is retired, but he’s leaving the door open just a crack, and his sons hold the key.
Months after ending his in-ring career against Gunther at the Royal Rumble, Styles addressed the topic of a possible comeback on his own podcast, “The AJ Styles Show.” Reminded of comments he’d made previously about every retired wrestler getting one opportunity to return, Styles was asked what could actually get him to use his.
His answer centered entirely on his sons. Styles made clear that simply getting in the ring with them wouldn’t be enough on its own — the match would need to genuinely matter.
AJ Styles Wants His Return To Matter
He explained that if the moment isn’t meaningful, he’s not interested in coming back for an independent show, even if it means wrestling alongside his own kids.
Uh, but how long is it going to take my son or sons to get in the position where I’m able to do this this show with them that matters? If it doesn’t matter, like I I’m be honest with you, I’m probably not going to come back for an indie show. I mean, even if it’s the wrestle with my boys, I probably not do want to do that.
For now, Styles said he’s more than content playing a supporting role, describing himself as happy to be a special guest or manager-type presence in his sons’ corner. If they eventually reach a point in their careers where a father-son match belongs on a major show, that’s when he’d genuinely consider lacing up the boots again — with one hopeful caveat: that it happens before he turns 60.
I don’t mind being a special guest and like a manager kind of thing, but if if I do come back, hopefully I’m not 60 and it’s it’s on a big show. I would definitely let who wouldn’t what father wouldn’t want to come back and tag with his sons. Um so I don’t know if that opportunity will come because it depends how long it’s going to take him.
Getting Back Into Ring Shape Concerns AJ Styles
That age comment points to the real obstacle standing in the way. Styles admitted the idea of getting back into true wrestling shape is what scares him most about a potential return, joking that as he’s gotten older his cardio has dropped off to the point where he walks instead of runs these days.
And and I’ll tell you this, the the idea of getting back into ring shape, you know, you know. So, yeah, that that kind of scares me. Yeah, but it’s just it to get into the ring shape that you know that you’re capable of needing to do it. That’s going to suck. So, the older I the older I get, the less cardio I have. I’ve realized that I don’t run anymore. I walk because that’s what old people do.
So the timeline ultimately comes down to two variables: how quickly his sons develop into wrestlers capable of headlining a meaningful match, and whether Styles is willing to put his body through another training grind to get there. Both, preferably, resolving themselves before he hits 60.
