AJ Styles has addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his retirement, confirming that he expects to end his in-ring career by the end of 2026.
Speaking on The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast, the 48-year-old said he views retirement as a positive milestone rather than a forced exit. AJ Styles noted that stepping away on his own terms is important to him, saying he hopes fans will see the moment as a celebration.
“Here’s the thing about retirement, it is the opportunity to go out of your way not because of injury but standing on your own two feet,” Styles said. “To be able to do that, to me, is a celebration, so I hope that when it does happen, you guys celebrate with me that I achieved my goals.”
Styles spent more than a decade wrestling for TNA, NJPW and independent promotions before making his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble. After nearly thirty years in the ring and multiple world titles, he confirmed that his time in WWE is entering its final chapter.
Who Will AJ Styles Face In His Retirement Match?
It has yet to be confirmed who AJ Styles will face in his potential retirement match, and it has also not yet been announced when his final wrestling match will take place.
However, there has been speculation, and recent storyline developments on WWE TV suggest that Styles may face Gunther in his final wrestling match at some point this year. Gunther faced John Cena in his retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025. Gunther also faced Goldberg in what was billed as his retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12, 2025.
