AJ Styles Reveals Locker Room Reaction After Final WWE Match

AJ Styles may have gone out on his own terms at the 2026 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event—but backstage, the emotion hit him harder than expected.

Speaking to Stephanie McMahon on the February 5, 2026 episode of What’s Your Story?, Styles opened up about what happened backstage after his Royal Rumble sendoff in Riyadh, revealing just how deeply the reality of retirement hit him once the adrenaline wore off.

“Xavier got me first—he got me choked up a little bit. I’m fine. I was AJ Styles all the way from the end of the match all the way to the back. The first person I hugged was Abyss, then CM Punk, and a lot of other guys. I hugged a lot of people, and it was great. The reaction was emotional.”

Then, as Styles made his way toward the locker room, the moment finally caught up with him. That’s when longtime friend Shane Helms stepped in with a message Styles said meant everything in that moment.

“As soon as I walked around to leave, it really hit me. Then you see me power-walking—almost running—to get to where they were stacking the bags, because I had just made it to my locker room. I thought I shut the door, but apparently it didn’t shut. So I had my back to the door, and I’m kind of trying not to cry like the biggest baby in the world. Then Shane Helms comes up and grabs me. He says, ‘It’s alright, you’re good, man. You don’t have to turn your back.’ It meant so much for him to come up and see me.”

The Phenomenal One recalled receiving comfort from others who had supported him throughout his career, especially Xavier Woods.

“Jolene, the seamstress, came up and was hugging me. Then Xavier Woods came up, and I probably squeezed him the hardest. It was a special moment. It’s cool—I squeezed a lot of people hard that night.”

This comes after Fightful Select confirmed that AJ Styles’ WWE career is officially over. His match against GUNTHER—where he passed out in a sleeper hold—wasn’t just a loss, it was the end of a legendary run. WWE sources said Styles dictated every detail of his retirement. It was added that while WWE would’ve gladly extended his contract, Styles had made it clear for years that this was the path he wanted to take.

“They would happily extend AJ Styles, but he has made it very clear for years that he was eyeing retirement.”

Triple H confirmed Styles told him personally “he’s done with the in-ring part,” though WWE has left the door open for a backstage role similar to what Shawn Michaels does in NXT.

Whether or not Styles ever returns in any capacity, one thing is clear: he walked away exactly how he wanted—on his terms, surrounded by friends, with respect earned from the locker room he helped shape.

What do you think of AJ Styles’ emotional farewell? Should he stay retired, or could you see him stepping into a mentor or producer role in WWE? Drop your thoughts below.

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