AJ Styles On Retirement: "If I Want To Come Back, I Come Back"

AJ Styles Leaves Door Open For In-Ring Return Despite Retirement

Although AJ Styles recently laid his gloves down in Atlanta to signal the end of his illustrious career, “The Phenomenal One” maintains that his retirement isn’t necessarily a permanent farewell to professional wrestling.

During an appearance on Cody Rhodes’ podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, Styles reflected on ending his run in his home region before addressing whether fans have truly seen his final match.

“I was hoping that I would get to lay him down in Atlanta. Yeah. That’s what I wanted to do. The Dirty South. But there’s all kinds of things running through my mind, but I am certainly glad I got the opportunity to lay him down in Atlanta. That was a great moment for me and my family to be able to do that, and I felt good about it. I felt at peace with it, and so I’m glad it happened there.”

Leaving the Option Open

When Cody Rhodes directly questioned whether Styles reserves the right to step back into the squared circle if he chooses, Styles made his mindset clear, drawing a comparison to basketball legend Michael Jordan.

“Yep. I mean, it’s retirement. I think Michael Jordan said it once. It means if I want to come back, I come back.”

When pressed further by Rhodes on whether his career was completely “over, over,” Styles admitted he couldn’t bring himself to declare a definitive end.

“I don’t think I can. No. I just…”

While Styles is not actively announcing a comeback or booking a return match, he is making it clear that retirement remains his personal decision to change if he ever feels the itch to compete again. For now, The Phenomenal One is content with his departure, but the door to the ring remains unlocked.