AJ Styles Reveals Initial WWE Retirement Plans

The former WWE Champion discusses his decision to retire at the Royal Rumble instead of WrestleMania.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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In a farewell tour vlog released by WWE, AJ Styles revealed that he had initially planned to retire at WrestleMania, the company's biggest annual event. However, after returning from an injury that was 'supposed to retire' him, Styles felt it would be more fitting to end his career at the Royal Rumble, the pay-per-view where he made his WWE debut.

Why it matters

AJ Styles is considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of his generation, having won multiple world championships in WWE and other promotions. His retirement marks the end of an era, and fans are eager to see how the company will honor his legendary career.

The details

Styles suffered a foot injury in October 2024 that was expected to end his in-ring career. However, he made a remarkable recovery and returned to the ring at the 2025 Royal Rumble event. In the farewell vlog, Styles explained that he had initially planned to retire at WrestleMania, as many superstars do, but felt it would be more meaningful to end his career at the same pay-per-view where he made his WWE debut.

  • Styles suffered a foot injury in October 2024.
  • Styles returned to the ring at the 2025 Royal Rumble event.
  • Styles faced Logan Paul at WrestleMania 41.

The players

AJ Styles

A former WWE Champion and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of his generation.

Logan Paul

A popular YouTuber and social media personality who has transitioned into professional wrestling, facing Styles at WrestleMania 41.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody wants to retire at WrestleMania, the biggest show of the year that we do. I was going to do exactly that, but I just came back from an injury that was supposed to retire me. It retires most. Once I got healed up and was comfortable enough running and doing what I need to do to be AJ Styles, it just didn't feel right to come back for two months just to retire.”

— AJ Styles (wrestleview.com)

What’s next

A tribute to the career of AJ Styles is scheduled for the 2/23 edition of WWE Raw, emanating from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

The takeaway

AJ Styles' decision to retire at the Royal Rumble instead of WrestleMania shows his deep connection to the event where he made his WWE debut and his desire to end his career on his own terms, rather than following the traditional path of retiring at the company's biggest show.