AJ Styles Says He Wants to Retire in His Own Terms – AJ Styles has confirmed that he plans to retire from professional wrestling in 2026, marking the end of a legendary career that has spanned nearly three decades. While an exact date has yet to be announced, the 48-year-old WWE star revealed that his farewell tour has already begun, with his recent matches in Australia and Japan serving as likely final appearances in those countries.
Speaking with Undisputed, Styles opened up about the emotional reality of nearing retirement, noting that stepping away will be difficult but necessary. “I’ve had a tremendous time in professional wrestling,” Styles said. “Not many people can say they love their job. I do. It’s going to suck when it’s over. But that’s always been my ultimate goal — to retire on my own terms.”
Styles also reflected on how his time in Japan shaped his career and ultimately opened the door for his WWE success. “There’s no doubt in my mind that I may not have made it to WWE without Japan,” Styles said. “My tenure in Japan helped me figure out who I was and what I wanted to do. When I went to WWE, Vince wanted me to be who I was in Japan. That style from Japan did not change when I went to WWE. That’s the guy Vince wanted, so I didn’t have to change anything. Maybe that’s why it got over so well.”
While Styles hasn’t confirmed specific post-retirement plans, he expressed interest in remaining with WWE in a backstage role, possibly as a coach or mentor to younger talent. For now, Styles remains active in the ring. He and Dragon Lee are the reigning World Tag Team Champions on RAW, having defeated Finn Balor and JD McDonagh for the titles last week. A rematch between the two teams is set for next Monday’s show.
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AJ Styles Says He Wants to Retire in His Own Terms
