AJ Styles Was Dealing With Multiple Injuries Before In-Ring Retirement

AJ Styles was quietly dealing with mounting injuries before officially calling it a career — and now more details are coming out about just how worn down he was.

While Styles recently signed a new deal to remain with WWE in a behind-the-scenes developmental role, Karl Anderson revealed that the decision to retire wasn’t about ability — it was about physical wear and tear. Speaking on Busted Open Radio on February 27, 2026, Anderson made it clear that Styles could still perform at an elite level if he wanted to.

“Yeah, it’s clear that AJ Styles can still go in the ring and do what he’s always been able to do. I think he can still do it as well as anybody in the entire world. We see what he can do.”

Despite that, Anderson admitted he hoped Styles would continue wrestling for several more years.

“I obviously wanted AJ to keep going. I wanted him to go for another five years, and I know that he can. We all know that he can.”

But when Anderson spoke to Styles backstage after RAW — following his retirement announcement — the reality became clear. Styles wasn’t stepping away because he couldn’t perform. He was stepping away because his body had taken too much punishment. That conversation, according to Anderson, confirmed that Styles meant every word.

“But when I looked at him in his eyes after Raw and said I didn’t know if he was going to retire or not, he told me, ‘Dude, I’m too beat up. My neck hurts. My back hurts. And I truly want to help train the next generation.’ And it was like, man, he truly means it. I know he’s going to be able to walk away with his health. He’s hurt and beat up like we all are, but the fact that he can still walk, still be a dad, and still move around — I think he’s happy he’s able to get out while he can, on his own terms.”

This shows why Styles chose to retire following his Royal Rumble loss to GUNTHER. It wasn’t about losing a step in the ring. It was about neck pain, back pain, and the long-term toll of a career that spanned decades. Now, instead of pushing through injuries, Styles is shifting his focus to mentoring the next generation — leaving the ring on his own terms rather than being forced out by it.

Do you respect AJ Styles more for stepping away while he still could — or do you wish he had pushed through for one more run? Let us know your thoughts.

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