A new report indicates that WWE is preparing for the eventual retirement of former multi-time world champion AJ Styles. According to Dave Meltzer on a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, there is a belief within the company that Styles will be hanging up his boots next year based on his own comments about wanting to call it a career, and a plan is being formulated for how to handle his final run.
The Retirement Plan
Speaking on the matter, Meltzer revealed that discussions have taken place regarding the end of Styles’ in-ring career. While the specifics are not finalized, the company is actively thinking about how to present his retirement. “There is a plan in play for how to handle AJ Styles’ retirement in 2026”, Meltzer stated.
Plan Not “Fully Locked In”
Meltzer was careful to note that the plan is still in a conceptual stage and is not set in stone. The main idea is that the company intends to do something notable for his departure, rather than letting him fade from television. “It’s not fully locked in or anything, but the idea is, ‘We’re gonna do something'”, he added.
The key takeaway from the report is the internal expectation that 2026 will be Styles’ final year as an active competitor. “So yeah, they believe he’s retiring next year”, Meltzer said. Styles has had a celebrated career spanning over two decades across multiple promotions, including TNA and NJPW, before making his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble. Since joining WWE, Styles has captured the WWE Championship twice, in addition to holding the Intercontinental and United States Championships.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Wrestling Observer Radio with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
