AJ Styles has reacted to the surprise news of his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The announcement was made by The Undertaker during Styles’ emotional retirement ceremony on the February 23, 2026, episode of Monday Night Raw in Atlanta, Georgia—Styles’ home city.
Styles, who recently ended his legendary in-ring career following a “career-on-the-line” match against GUNTHER at the Royal Rumble, had no prior knowledge of the induction. The reveal occurred after Styles delivered a heartfelt farewell to the WWE fans, placing his jacket and gloves in the center of the ring to symbolize the end of his nearly 30-year journey.
In the closing moments of a WWE vlog that captured the behind-the-scenes atmosphere of the tribute, Styles struggled to process the magnitude of the moment.
“I guess we’re going to WrestleMania, at least to the Hall of Fame, so I’m very excited. I don’t know, I really can’t think of the words to express how I feel,” Styles said. “Gratitude’s a big one, thankful, blessed, I’m just glad [my family] were here to see it too, you know? What a place, being told you’re going into the Hall of Fame in the city that you live in. It was gonna be a great night, and you got married. It’s awesome.”
Styles is the second confirmed inductee for this year’s ceremony. He joins Stephanie McMahon, who was announced as the first inductee of the class by The Undertaker during Wrestlepalooza 2025 on September 20.
The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 17, 2026, during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas. For Styles, the recognition cements a decade-long WWE tenure where he became a two-time WWE Champion and a Grand Slam winner, following influential runs in TNA and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit the WWE Vlog with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.Â
