AJ Styles Regrets Never Wrestling Shawn Michaels

AJ Styles isn’t stepping into the ring with Shawn Michaels anytime soon—but that doesn’t mean he’s done hoping for a chance to work with him.

Back in 2025, Styles confirmed that 2026 would be his final year as an in-ring performer. And in a new interview with Undisputed’s Justin Barrasso on January 7, 2026, Styles opened up about his biggest regret: not being able to wrestle Shawn Michaels.

That rumored dream match—once speculated for the 2017 Royal Rumble in San Antonio—never happened. But Styles seemed visibly energized when the idea of training with Michaels at the WWE Performance Center was brought up. More than just a match, Styles put focus on the missed opportunity to learn firsthand from the man known as Mr. WrestleMania.

“You never know,” Styles said with a grin. “One day we might be rolling around with no one watching it. That would be enough for me. The thing that I regret the most about not being able to get in the ring with Shawn Michaels is the opportunity to learn from him,” Styles admitted. “That would have been priceless.”

While a match is likely off the table, the Phenomenal One made it clear he’s eager to work with the Heartbreak Kid in WWE NXT in the future and help develop the talent there.

“It just wasn’t meant to be. Hopefully we’ll get the opportunity to work together in some capacity, whether it’s developing talent or just helping the brand get better altogether.”

As for Michaels, he already confirmed to Inside the Ropes that Styles and The Undertaker were the only two men WWE ever formally approached him about facing post-retirement, where he turned down AJ Styles.

“The only ones that have ever actually been asked by the company were Taker and AJ Styles. That's the only time anybody ever formally, you know, mentioned it, but I turned it down.”

A match between Styles and Michaels might never happen—but a partnership at the Performance Center? That could still become a reality once the Phenomenal One rides off into the sunset.

Would you rather see AJ Styles wrestle one last dream match—or help shape the future of WWE in NXT with Shawn Michaels? Sound off in the comments!