WWE is Split on AJ Styles’ Retirement Plans – Although AJ Styles’ retirement has become a major talking point in WWE storylines, that does not mean his exit from the company is fully planned or locked in. A new report suggests that there is still uncertainty behind the scenes regarding how, when, or even if Styles’ retirement will unfold as currently presented on television.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, sources backstage indicate that opinions are “split” on AJ Styles’ future in WWE. The report notes that WWE does not appear to have a clearly mapped-out retirement run in place for Styles at this time. That detail stands out, especially given how prominently retirement stakes have been tied to his recent angles.
Styles has previously stated in interviews that 2026 is the year he plans to retire from in-ring competition. His current WWE contract is also believed to be structured to expire in early 2026, which aligns with those comments. Despite that timeline, the lack of internal consensus suggests that nothing is set in stone, and fans may want to pay close attention to how his storylines develop in the coming months.
On WWE programming, Styles has been framed as a veteran still chasing defining moments rather than winding things down quietly. That creative direction is reflected in his Royal Rumble match against GUNTHER, where Styles has agreed to put his career on the line for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. The stipulation adds weight to the match but also raises questions about whether it is meant to be a true endpoint or simply another dramatic chapter.
The central question now is whether AJ Styles’ retirement plans remain firm or become more flexible depending on creative decisions and circumstances. The reported backstage split indicates that WWE itself may still be evaluating the best path forward, rather than executing a long-term plan already in motion.
This uncertainty is notable as WWE prepares to spotlight another major farewell. John Cena’s retirement run is set to be a focal point of the third season of WWE Unreal, which is expected to offer a closer look at how the company approaches a high-profile exit. That comparison only adds intrigue to Styles’ situation, as fans wait to see whether his final run will follow a similar structure or take a different direction entirely.
WWE is Split on AJ Styles’ Retirement Plans
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