AJ Styles is making his retirement timeline official—and shutting down speculation that he might jump to another promotion.
The longtime WWE headliner, known to fans as “The Phenomenal One,” has confirmed that 2026 will be his last year as an in-ring performer.
Last month, Styles explained that he wants to step away before age and wear-and-tear diminish his abilities. “I will definitely retire within the next year,” he said. “I don’t want the fans to see me as anyone other than AJ Styles. That’s the main reason. I’ve decided to retire before my body can no longer move.”
At WWE’s Crown Jewel event in Perth, Australia, Michael Cole addressed those comments on the broadcast, and Styles did not back away from them, according to Cageside Seats.
In a message to fans, he admitted that his priorities have shifted. “I’m getting old, folks,” Styles said. “If I could find the Fountain of Youth and take a couple of sips, I would wrestle for the rest of my life. But there comes a time in a man’s life when he has to take care of business. When business is done, it’s time to take care of his family. And in 2026, I will retire.”
Crown Jewel also gave fans a glimpse of why Styles is still viewed as one of the best in the world. His match against John Cena was widely praised as a highlight of the card, with the two veterans incorporating tributes to Chris Jericho and the late Bray Wyatt into their sequences. The bout stood out not only as part of Cena’s farewell tour but also as a showcase of how Styles continues to bridge eras of wrestling history.
While Styles has had public disagreements with WWE in the past, he has clarified that retirement doesn’t mean he’s considering a jump to AEW or anywhere else. He said his loyalty remains with the company where he became a household name. “I haven’t decided yet, but I think I’ll probably work for WWE,” Styles said, adding that a role in training or mentoring the next generation is appealing.
Styles’ career spans over two decades, with runs in New Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA before arriving in WWE in 2016. His announcement, paired with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s planned 2026 exit in Japan, marks the end of an era for international wrestling fans.