AJ Styles may have said goodbye to full-time wrestling, but his journey with WWE might not be finished yet. After losing to Gunther at the Royal Rumble under a retirement stipulation, many fans believed it was the end of an era. However, recent updates suggest that “The Phenomenal One” could still have a future in the company — just in a different role.
AJ Styles Forced to Retire at Royal Rumble
AJ Styles faced Gunther at the Royal Rumble in a high-stakes match. The condition was simple — if Styles lost, he would have to retire. Unfortunately for him, Gunther picked up the victory, forcing Styles to step away from in-ring competition.
Even though the match was promoted as his retirement, Styles did something interesting. He did not leave his gloves in the ring, which is a traditional sign that a wrestler is officially done. That small detail made fans believe this might not be the final chapter.
Later, during an appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s show “What’s Your Story?”, Styles admitted that he wants to leave the door open. He shared that one of his dreams is to possibly wrestle alongside his son one day. That emotional reason alone suggests he is not completely closing the book on his career.
There has also been speculation that once his WWE contract officially expires, he could wrestle one or two dream matches elsewhere.
Is AJ Styles’ WWE Contract Ending Soon?
Reports suggest that AJ Styles’ current WWE contract may expire sometime this month. However, there has been no official confirmation.
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, WWE tried to sign Styles to a contract extension before the Royal Rumble. Unfortunately, both sides could not agree on the terms at that time.
Since then, two major developments have taken place:
- WWE announced a special celebration for AJ Styles on the February 23 episode of Raw in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Styles was reportedly spotted at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
These updates have sparked new rumours about his future.
If he were completely done with WWE, it would be unusual for him to appear at the Performance Center. This has led many to believe that talks may still be ongoing.
Could AJ Styles Become a WWE Coach?
One of the most interesting parts of this story involves Paul “Triple H” Levesque. During the Royal Rumble post-show on January 31, the WWE Chief Content Officer praised AJ Styles heavily.
Triple H compared Styles to Shawn Michaels, who currently works as a top coach and creative figure in WWE’s developmental system. He said that following a similar path could be a great move for Styles.
Triple H also mentioned that AJ is universally respected and loved in the wrestling industry. He believes that many future wrestlers will say AJ Styles inspired them to enter the business.
Because of this, many fans think Styles could transition into a coaching or mentorship role. His experience, skill, and knowledge would be extremely valuable for young wrestlers at the Performance Center.
WWE Planning a Tribute on Raw
WWE has officially announced a celebration for AJ Styles on the February 23 episode of Raw in Atlanta — his hometown. Reports from The Wrestling Observer say that several SmackDown stars are being flown in for the event.
This celebration could mean many things:
- A formal retirement speech
- A surprise contract renewal
- A transition announcement into a backstage role
- Or even a shocking storyline twist
At this stage, nothing is confirmed. But WWE rarely invests in a major tribute unless the person still has strong ties to the company.
Quick Overview of AJ Styles’ Current Situation
| Topic | Current Status |
|---|---|
| In-Ring Career | Forced to retire after loss to Gunther |
| Contract Status | Reportedly expiring soon, no confirmation |
| WWE Extension Talks | Previously attempted but no agreement |
| Performance Center Visit | Recently spotted there |
| Future Possibility | Coaching role or special appearances |
Why AJ Styles Still Matters to WWE
AJ Styles is not just another wrestler. He has been one of WWE’s most reliable and respected performers for years. From main event matches to mid-card rivalries, he always delivered high-quality performances.
Even if his full-time in-ring career is over, his knowledge can shape the next generation of WWE talent. Many younger wrestlers already look up to him.
Leaving the gloves out of the ring would have sent a clear message. But since he didn’t, fans still believe there is unfinished business.
