According to Swerve Strickland, AEW would welcome AJ Styles if he chose to leave WWE.
At the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, Gunther defeated AJ Styles, seemingly bringing the Phenomenal One’s career to an end. After the match, Styles took off his trademark gloves, but just as he appeared to be about to leave them in the ring, he put them back on and posed before heading to the back.
That moment has sparked speculation that Styles isn’t done with wrestling quite yet, and many fans hope to see the two-time WWE Champion compete in an AEW ring.
Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland was asked about the possibility at For The Love of Wrestling 2026. After saying he hopes he’s becoming someone Styles would like to get in the ring with, Strickland credited the star with being influential to a whole generation of wrestlers.
“At this point, I think I’m becoming something that AJ Styles wants to compete against, instead. I’m pushing myself to be at the top of this game. I’m not chasing after anybody’s matches. I want those matches to chase after me.
“Happy for AJ, proud of AJ. He’s someone I would study endlessly, alongside Bryan Danielson and that era. Nigel (McGuinness), I looked up to those guys and watched those guys. AJ has earned more than enough in his career to walk away from it or continue on and do something different and unique with the generation of guys he has curated and spawned.”
Strickland believes that, despite never setting foot in the promotion, Styles is responsible for the type of wrestling seen in AEW today, and he would be welcomed if he did decide to make the jump.
“His influence spawned an AEW style. (Will) Ospreay, Seth Rollins, myself, Mike Bailey, we’ve all watched and studied AJ. If he wants to take a chance to come to AEW, which he is more than capable and in great shape mentally, hopefully, and physically, from what I view, to compete with All Elite Wrestling.
“We’re all here, open and waiting if he decides to make that jump.”
AJ Styles To Be Honored On WWE Raw
While speculation on his future rumbles on, WWE will pay tribute to AJ Styles in his home state of Georgia on the February 23rd edition of Raw. While no details of the tribute have been announced, WWE has promised to “celebrate the phenomenal career of one of the greatest superstars of all time.”
The show will also feature the return of Brock Lesnar, and Liv Morgan is set to choose whether she will challenge Stephanie Vaquer or Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42.
H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the above transcription.
