AJ Styles Is Calling It Quits in 2026, and I’m Not Ready for This

Man, I’m gutted. AJ Styles, the guy we’ve all screamed “Phenomenal!” for, just dropped the bomb that 2026 is it—he’s hanging up the boots.

The dude who’s been flipping, kicking, and storytelling his way into our hearts for nearly three decades announced it during the Crown Jewel kickoff, and I’m still processing. “In 2026, I will retire,” he said, cool as ever, like he’s just deciding what’s for dinner.

But you could feel the weight in his words. He’s going out on his terms, before the ring beats him down too hard. “I don’t want to show my fans a side of me that isn’t AJ Styles,” he said, and damn, that hits.

Look, AJ’s been teasing this for a minute. Remember that fake-out retirement speech in June 2024? Had us all fooled before he laid out Cody Rhodes like a boss. But this time, it’s real. He’s thinking family, legacy, and not wanting to limp around the ring past his prime. “It’s time to focus on family and end my legendary wrestling journey,” he said, and I respect the hell outta that.

The Guy Who Did It All

If you’re a wrestling fan, you know AJ’s resume is straight-up ridiculous. Born Allen Neal Jones in ’77, he started tearing it up in the early 2000s with NWA Wildside and Ring of Honor, pulling off moves that made your jaw drop. Then TNA? Holy crap, he was the heart of that place from 2002 to 2014. Six world titles, feuds with Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle that still give me chills, and starting The Phenomenal Ones?

He made TNA must-watch TV. Who can forget the shot of AJ holding up the belt driving away with the TNA heavyweight championship? Phenomenal!

But Japan? That’s where he became a god. From 2014 to 2016, AJ ran the show in New Japan, leading Bullet Club and snagging the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice. His debut win over Okada? Iconic. Matches with Tanahashi and Nakamura? Those are the kinda bouts you show newbies to explain why wrestling’s art. Then WWE in 2016—he was worried fans wouldn’t know him from his TNA days, but c’mon, we knew.

Two WWE Championships, three U.S. titles, headlining WrestleMania 34, and building The O.C. with Gallows and Anderson. At 48, he’s still out here outworking guys half his age, like when he took the U.S. title from LA Knight recently.

Why Now? And What’s Next?

AJ first let it slip in September 2025 to Tokyo Sports, saying his SuperShow Japan matches on October 17 and 18 might be his last in Japan. “I plan to retire soon, and I may not come back,” he said, and I felt that in my soul. Today, he made it official, and now I’m just sitting here thinking about how 2026’s gonna be one long goodbye. He’s eyeing WrestleMania 42 in Vegas as his big send-off, maybe. “I will probably appear at WrestleMania, but it’s not confirmed yet,” he teased.

Fans on X are losing it, throwing around #ThankYouAJStyles and comparing it to Cena’s 2025 farewell tour. One post hit me hard: “2025: Cena’s retirement tour. 2026: AJ’s. Wrestling’s losing its soul.” Oof.This weekend’s Crown Jewel match against Cena—another legend on his way out—feels like the wrestling gods are giving us a preview of the end. It’s gonna be emotional. AJ’s not done yet, though. He’s talking about sticking with WWE, maybe training the next crop of stars. “It might be good to train young wrestlers to be worthy of the main roster,” he said, and I can already see him shaping the future. He even threw out a dream match with Tanahashi, saying he’s “1000%” down, but it’s a long shot with their schedules.

This One Hurts

X is flooded with fans like me, pouring out love. “One of the greatest to ever step in the ring,” some dude posted, and he ain’t wrong. Reddit’s got threads breaking down his best matches, from TNA classics to that Boneyard Match with The Undertaker. Me? I’m just thinking about every Styles Clash, every springboard 450, every time he made me believe wrestling could be perfect. He’s going out his way, and I respect it, but damn, I’m not ready to say goodbye to The Phenomenal One. Here’s to 2026—let’s make every AJ match count.

What’s Next? Legacy and Legacy-Building

Retirement doesn’t mean vanishing from the spotlight for Styles. He envisions sticking with WWE in a non-wrestling role, potentially as a trainer grooming the next generation. “I haven’t decided yet, but I think I’ll probably work for WWE,” he shared. “It might be good to train young wrestlers to be worthy of being on the main roster,” via bleacherreport.com. This aligns with his history of mentorship, from Bullet Club protégés to WWE’s midcard talents.

As for dream matches, Styles left the door cracked for one last NJPW hurrah against Tanahashi. “I still want to do it 1000%,” he admitted. “However, we both have our positions to consider, so I don’t know if it will happen.” WWE, ever the storyteller, is likely to extend his contract past its rumored February 2026 expiration to orchestrate a proper send-off, complete with Hall of Fame induction whispers.