The world of professional wrestling is set to bid farewell to one of its most phenomenal athletes. Veteran superstar AJ Styles has officially charted the course for the final chapter of his illustrious in-ring career, announcing that 2026 will be his last year as an active WWE performer.
The Retirement Announcement: A Celebration, Not a Farewell
Styles made his intentions clear during a candid conversation on The Undertaker's 'Six Feet Under' podcast. He revealed that his current WWE contract is set to expire at the end of 2026, and he does not plan to sign a new one. For Styles, this planned exit is a moment of triumph. He views retirement not as an end forced by injury, but as a celebration of a goal achieved—the ability to walk away on his own terms.
"It is the opportunity to go out on your own terms, not because of injury, but standing on your own two feet," Styles stated. He expressed hope that fans and peers would join him in celebrating this achievement when the time comes.
The Road to 2026: A Final Run Packed with Action
The seeds for this farewell were planted earlier. At the 2025 WWE Crown Jewel Premium Live Event, during a high-stakes match against his iconic rival John Cena—who was on his own farewell tour—Styles indicated that 2026 would also mark the end of his journey. That match against Cena is already being hailed as one of the most explosive in recent WWE history.
Since making his plans public, Styles has embraced a role mentoring the next generation. He recently held the WWE World Tag Team Championships with rising luchador Dragon Lee, a reign that ended in 2025 after a loss to The Usos on Monday Night RAW.
A New Feud Ignites: Styles Defends Cena's Legacy
The path to retirement is heating up with a fresh and personal rivalry. Following John Cena's retirement in December, Intercontinental Champion Gunther began boasting that he was the one who made Cena quit. This did not sit well with AJ Styles.
On a recent episode of RAW, tensions boiled over. Styles confronted Gunther and slapped him across the face for showing disrespect to a legend like Cena. This confrontation has led to a singles match officially announced for next week's RAW, promising a spectacular and heated showdown between the veteran phenom and the arrogant champion.
As AJ Styles navigates his final year and a half in WWE, his focus is clear: to compete at the highest level, elevate new talent, and exit the squared circle with his head held high, culminating in a retirement celebration befitting a true phenomenal one.
