One AEW star doesn’t think fans have seen the last of AJ Styles in the ring.
At the 2026 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles put his career on the line against Gunther. While Styles had made no secret about his plans to retire in 2026, it was still a shocking moment when he passed out in a sleeper hold applied by The Ring General, bringing an end to a phenomenal career.
After the match, an emotional Styles took his gloves off, but just as it looked like he was going to leave them in the ring, he put them back on, leading many fans to think he isn’t done with wrestling just yet.
On the latest edition of his My World podcast, AEW star and WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett gave his thoughts on the situation, saying he doesn’t think we’ve seen the last of Styles.
“We have not seen the last of AJ Styles in the ring. Look, it may be a year, it may be two years, I don’t know.”
Out of all the stars Gunther has retired in the past year, Jarrett believes Styles is the most consequential. However, he still doesn’t think it was the true end for the star, saying it was “curious” that he put his gloves back on.
“Out of Goldberg, Cena, and AJ, out of those three, I thought Gunther built more equity in the Gunther character by beating AJ than the others by far. That was well done. But no, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of it. The taking off the gloves and all that stuff, it’s curious.”
Jim Ross Was “Underwhelmed” By AJ Styles’ Retirement
Jeff Jarrett isn’t the only star who has commented on the aftermath of AJ Styles’ loss to Gunther. Jim Ross has admitted to being “underwhelmed” by the retirement, saying he expected a “bigger dog and pony show.” When it comes to the finality of Styles’ retirement, JR believes he’s finished as a full-time performer, but Ross would relish getting to call his matches if he joined AEW.
H/T to F4WOnline for the above transcription.
