Massive Update On AJ Styles' Status After WWE Retirement (AEW News)
The latest on AJ Styles' future.
With AJ Styles being forced into retirement after losing to Gunther at the Royal Rumble this past weekend, there are some fans who question whether the Phenomenal One really is done, whether this is simply a 'retirement' from WWE, and whether AJ may have another few matches left across the rest of 2026.
On that topic, Fightful Select reports that, as of a few months ago, it was believed that Styles' WWE contract was up at some point in February. While the outlet can't outright confirm that to be the case, they've likewise heard nothing about an extension to that deal.
For those fans hoping that AJ Styles may have a return to TNA in his future, WWE sources told Fightful that, should the former five-time TNA World Champion want to compete in the Anthem promotion badly enough, WWE would have allowed him to while still under contract with the market leader. Interestingly, one TNA source is under the impression that AJ "would or had" extended his contract with WWE before the Royal Rumble, but Fightful has been unable to confirm that.
A WWE source said that, regardless of what happens from here on out for AJ Styles, he's "very much had it his way" where it pertains to his WWE retirement. It was also said that WWE would happily extend Styles' time with the promotion, though the talent has made it clear for years that he was looking at retirement.
Over in AEW, the future of AJ Styles was a major topic of conversation at last week's Dynamite taping, as various people speculated on what's next for the 48-year-old. As one would expect, it's expected that AEW would make an offer to bring AJ in if that were a possibility, and the Georgia native is still close with several people in AEW. Similarly, NJPW would have interest in using Styles if he were available.
Finally, a source close to AJ Styles told Fightful that they knew his in-ring career was wrapping up at the Royal Rumble, but they're not sure what's next for the two-time WWE Champion. Simply put, AJ will do whatever he wants, regardless of money.