AJ Styles has officially closed the curtain on his in-ring career, and the decision was far from spontaneous.
The 48-year-old ended his career at the Royal Rumble last month, losing to Gunther in a match where his future was on the line. The moment carried added symbolism, coming exactly ten years after his unforgettable WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble.
AJ Styles then appeared on the February 23 episode of WWE Raw in Atlanta to deliver an emotional farewell to fans, officially retiring by leaving his gloves in the centre of the ring to mark the end of an era.
Speaking on Raw Recap, Styles explained that the decision to step away was driven by a desire to preserve the standard he built over nearly three decades in the business. Having debuted in 1998 and carved out a legacy in TNA Wrestling, Japan, and WWE, Styles admitted he did not want to overstay his welcome.
“Now is the right time to retire so I don’t make a fool out of myself, so I don’t embarrass myself. I’m on the verge of doing just that,” Styles said. “It’s not easy, mind you, but it’s time. As far as the Royal Rumble, that’s special to me because that’s where I made my debut. To be able to end where I started is poetic.”
AJ Styles To Be Inducted Into The 2026 WWE Hall Of Fame
The night in Atlanta ended with another milestone. After AJ Styles’ speech, The Undertaker made a surprise appearance to announce that Styles will be inducted into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame.
Styles joins Stephanie McMahon as the second confirmed inductee for this year’s class, with the ceremony expected to take place in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend.
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