AJ Styles Retires, Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

Raw episode features tributes, Elimination Chamber qualifiers, and Brock Lesnar's WrestleMania challenge

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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WWE Raw in Atlanta on February 23, 2026 was a bittersweet night, as the show paid tribute to retiring legend AJ Styles, who was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The evening featured Elimination Chamber qualifying matches, tension between current champion Gunther and the tribute to Styles, and an ongoing mystery around Brock Lesnar's WrestleMania opponent.

Why it matters

AJ Styles' retirement marks the end of an era, as one of the most accomplished and respected wrestlers of the modern era steps away from the ring. The Hall of Fame induction cements his legacy, while the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania storylines set the stage for WWE's biggest upcoming events.

The details

The show opened with a planned tribute to Styles interrupted by current champion Gunther, who dismissed Styles and other legends. This led to a physical altercation with Dragon Lee. In the ring, Jey Uso won a Triple Threat qualifier for the men's Elimination Chamber, while Raquel Rodriguez won the women's qualifier. Backstage, tensions flared in Judgment Day and a potential new feud brewed between Rusev and Oba Femi. The highlight was Styles' emotional retirement speech and surprise Hall of Fame announcement by The Undertaker.

  • The WWE Raw event took place on February 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • AJ Styles announced his retirement during the show.
  • Styles was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026.

The players

AJ Styles

A legendary professional wrestler who had a storied career in both TNA and WWE, winning multiple world championships. He announced his retirement during the February 23, 2026 episode of WWE Raw.

Gunther

The current WWE Champion, known for his aggressive and dominant in-ring style. He interrupted the planned tribute to AJ Styles on Raw.

Adam Pearce

The Raw General Manager, who tried to restore order after Gunther's interruption of the Styles tribute.

Brock Lesnar

A former WWE Champion who issued an open challenge for a WrestleMania match, with his advocate Paul Heyman hyping the prestige of facing Lesnar.

The Undertaker

The legendary WWE Superstar who made a surprise appearance to announce AJ Styles' induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

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What they’re saying

“We must honor the legends of this industry, but we must also recognize the dominance of the current champions.”

— Gunther, WWE Champion (Raw broadcast)

“This journey has been filled with so many sacrifices, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm grateful to my family, my fans, and everyone who has supported me along the way.”

— AJ Styles (Raw broadcast)

What’s next

The next major WWE event is the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, where the winners of the qualifying matches will compete in the signature multi-competitor match. Additionally, Brock Lesnar's open challenge for a WrestleMania match remains unresolved, building anticipation for the reveal of his opponent.

The takeaway

AJ Styles' retirement and Hall of Fame induction mark the end of an era, as one of the most respected and accomplished wrestlers of the modern era steps away from the ring. However, WWE is also looking to the future, with the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania events on the horizon, showcasing a mix of nostalgia and new talent that will shape the company's direction going forward.