“The Phenomenal One” isn’t going anywhere. WWE and AJ Styles have officially come to terms on a new deal that will keep him with the company following his recent retirement. PWInsider first reported the news. While his in-ring career concluded at the Royal Rumble in January 2026 after a loss to Gunther, the 48-year-old veteran is set to transition into a vital role away from active competition.
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, the new agreement focuses heavily on Styles’ ability to mentor the next generation of superstars. The prevailing belief within the company is that he will be primarily involved in developing new talent, potentially serving as a coach or talent scout at the WWE Performance Center. This move follows comments from Chief Content Officer Triple H, who recently compared Styles’ potential impact to that of Shawn Michaels in NXT.
Styles addressed his future during a recent appearance on the Talk N Shop podcast, expressing his excitement about this new chapter. He noted that while he has hung up his boots, his passion for the industry remains as strong as ever. Styles looks at his new position as a “blessing” that allows him to give back to the business that defined his life for nearly three decades.
“I am still going to be working with WWE. That’s not going to change. I have these dreams of helping out young talent. If somebody is not ready once they get there, it’s my job to hopefully help them get to that point to where they can do it, and they are confident when they step into a WWE ring. Being able to help with that is a blessing,” Styles stated.
Styles is preparing for his official induction into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, an honor announced by The Undertaker during a tribute on Monday Night Raw. The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas.
