AJ Styles Confirms WWE Retirement Is Coming

After months of rumors swirling around his WWE contract status, AJ Styles has finally addressed the elephant in the room—and it’s official: retirement is coming.

While reports claimed that Styles quietly inked a one-year extension with WWE earlier this year, the man himself just confirmed his plans to step away from in-ring action for good.

Speaking to Tokyo Sports while promoting WWE’s upcoming tour of Japan, the 48-year-old veteran opened up about what the future holds—and it’s clear the end is near. Styles didn’t mince words about his retirement timeline or motivation. He admitted that next month’s shows in Japan could be his final performances there.

“I will probably appear at WrestleMania (April next year in Las Vegas, USA), but it’s not confirmed yet. The details are still undecided, but I will definitely retire within the next year,” he told Tokyo Sports.

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Then he revealed why it’s time to hang it up.

“I don’t want to show my fans a side of me that isn’t AJ Styles. That’s the main reason. I’ve decided to retire before my body can no longer move.”

The Phenomenal One also gave fans a hint at what’s next for him after he calls it quits in the ring. While he hasn’t committed to anything specific, it sounds like staying within WWE is a strong possibility.

“I haven’t decided yet, but I think I’ll probably work for WWE. It might be good to train young wrestlers to be worthy of being on the main roster, but I don’t know yet.”

Styles has been a cornerstone of wrestling for over two decades. Debuting in 1999, he carved out a legendary legacy in TNA, ROH, and NJPW before finally arriving in WWE in 2016. Along the way, he’s captured major titles in nearly every promotion he touched—WWE, IWGP, TNA X-Division, ROH Pure, and NWA, just to name a few.

So while there’s still time left on his clock, Styles is making it known: this is his final run. If WrestleMania 42 ends up being his swan song, it would be a fitting grand stage for a farewell.

AJ Styles has always been the kind of performer who lets his work speak louder than his words. But this time, the message couldn’t be clearer—he’s ready to bow out before age or injury dims his legacy.

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