Finn Balor Says AJ Styles’ Retirement Caught Him Off Guard Backstage

AJ Styles’ retirement came as a surprise to a lot of people, and Finn Balor just revealed he didn’t fully realize it was happening until the very end.

During an interview with Talk ‘N’ Shop Live, Balor spoke about Styles’ decision to retire and admitted he originally thought the timeline was much further away. Like many others, he believed Styles still had time left before stepping away from the ring. Balor explained that Styles had mentioned retirement plans for 2026, which led him to assume it would happen later in the year. But everything changed during a backstage moment shortly before Styles’ final match, when the reality of the situation finally hit him.

“AJ had told me he was thinking about retiring in 2026 and in my brain, that was like, ‘Oh, okay. That’s Survivor Series.’ Then I think we’re walking out of a RAW taping in Germany two weeks before his actual retirement, and we’re walking out onto the bus. I said, ‘You’re working Gunther soon?’ He goes, ‘Yes. Think it might be the last one.’ I was like, ‘For real?’ He goes, ‘Yeah.’ Whoa. Holy cow. I was blown away.”

Balor went on to say that despite being shocked by how quickly the moment arrived, he respects the way Styles handled the end of his career. He pointed out that being able to walk away without major injuries and on his own terms is something many wrestlers hope for but don’t always get. He also made it clear that Styles’ decision to prioritize his health and family left a strong impression on him, especially knowing how physically demanding the wrestling business can be over time.

“I must say I’m super happy for him to be able to step away with his general health. No major injuries so to speak. I know he’s a little banged up, like we all are, but to step away on his terms and be with his family, that’s such a beautiful thing. I wish him the best, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing him pretty soon.”

AJ Styles walking away caught Finn Balor off guard, but it also showed how quickly a legendary career can come to an end when the timing feels right. Hearing Balor talk about that backstage moment gives fans a rare look at how sudden retirement decisions can feel, even to the people closest to the situation.

Do you think AJ Styles made the right call retiring when he did, or would you have liked to see him stay in the ring longer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.