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The 48-year-old veteran, currently preparing for a highly anticipated clash against John Cena at WWE Crown Jewel, confirmed his timeline for stepping away from active competition. "I will definitely retire within the next year," Styles informed Tokyo Sports, with the comments translated by Pro Wrestling Net. He articulated his primary motivation: "I don’t want the fans to see me as anyone other than AJ Styles. That’s the main reason. I’ve decided to retire before my body can no longer move." This statement underscores a common sentiment among long-tenured professional wrestlers to preserve their legacy and the perception of their peak abilities.
The announcement comes as Styles continues to perform at an elite level, even as he approaches the latter stages of his career. His upcoming encounter with John Cena at Crown Jewel adds another chapter to one of the most critically acclaimed rivalries of the modern era. The match holds particular significance, occurring amidst Cena’s own reported farewell tour, creating a narrative of two generational talents potentially facing each other for one of their final times. Their storied rivalry, which includes classic encounters at SummerSlam 2016 and Royal Rumble 2017, saw both men push each other to their physical and storytelling limits, producing matches that garnered widespread praise from fans and critics alike. Styles holds a favorable record against Cena in their single-match encounters, having secured significant victories that elevated his standing within WWE.
Looking ahead, Styles expressed an expectation to participate in next year’s WrestleMania, although his specific role remains unconfirmed. WrestleMania is WWE’s flagship event, and a final appearance on its grand stage would be a fitting send-off for a performer of Styles’ caliber. Beyond his in-ring farewell, Styles indicated a strong inclination to remain involved with WWE in a non-wrestling capacity. "I haven’t decided yet, but I think I’ll probably work for WWE," he stated. He elaborated on potential roles, suggesting: "It might be good to train young wrestlers to be worthy of being on the main roster." This aspiration aligns with his extensive experience and reputation as an innovator and master technician, making him a valuable mentor for the next generation of talent at WWE’s Performance Center or as a road agent.
AJ Styles’ career trajectory is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and unparalleled in-ring talent. Born Allen Neal Jones, his journey began in the late 1990s, with brief stints in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and an initial cup of coffee with WWE in the early 2000s, then known as the World Wrestling Federation. However, it was his tenure with Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, later Impact Wrestling, that truly established him as a global wrestling phenomenon.
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Joining TNA at its inception in 2002, Styles quickly became the cornerstone of the promotion. He was the inaugural TNA X-Division Champion, a division celebrated for its high-flying, fast-paced, and innovative style, which Styles epitomized. His matches against contemporaries like Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels in the X-Division are considered landmark contests that redefined athletic wrestling. Styles’ consistent excellence led him to become the first TNA Triple Crown Champion (holding the X-Division, Tag Team, and World Heavyweight Championships) and the first TNA Grand Slam Champion (adding the Television Championship to his accolades). Over his 11 years with TNA, Styles held the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice, the X-Division Championship six times, the World Tag Team Championship four times, and the Television Championship once, solidifying his status as the company’s most decorated and pivotal figure.
Following his departure from TNA in 2013, Styles embarked on a highly successful run on the independent circuit and, crucially, in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In NJPW, he joined and later became the leader of the infamous Bullet Club faction, elevating his international profile further. His NJPW tenure saw him capture the prestigious IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice, a feat that cemented his status as a legitimate main event attraction globally and dispelled any lingering notions that his "smaller man" style precluded him from top-tier success in major promotions. His matches against the likes of Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi during this period further enhanced his reputation as one of the world’s premier performers.
Styles’ eventual signing with WWE in 2016 was, for many fans, a long-awaited "pipedream" come true. His athletic, high-impact style was often seen as a contrast to WWE’s historical preference for larger, more muscular main event stars. However, his NJPW success provided an undeniable platform. His debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble received one of the loudest and most memorable crowd reactions in the event’s history, immediately signaling his potential. Despite initial reports suggesting then-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon envisioned Styles as a midcard act, Styles rapidly defied expectations. He captured the WWE World Heavyweight Championship within eight months of his debut, defeating Dean Ambrose (now Jon Moxley) at Backlash 2016.
His first WWE Championship reign lasted 140 days, followed by another dominant reign that spanned 371 days from November 2017 to November 2018, making him the longest-reigning WWE Champion on the SmackDown brand. During his WWE tenure, Styles has also held the United States Championship three times, the Intercontinental Championship once, and the Raw Tag Team Championship once with Omos, completing WWE’s Grand Slam and Triple Crown achievements. He has engaged in high-profile feuds with a litany of WWE’s top stars, including Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, Daniel Bryan (now Bryan Danielson), and Brock Lesnar, consistently delivering critically acclaimed matches. His WrestleMania 36 "Boneyard Match" against The Undertaker was also a memorable and unique cinematic spectacle.
Styles’ influence extends beyond his championship accolades and match quality. He is widely credited with inspiring a generation of wrestlers, with current AEW star Will Ospreay being among the prominent names who cite Styles as a key influence on their innovative and high-flying styles. His success in WWE also helped pave the way for other highly-regarded independent wrestling talents to gain main event opportunities within the company, shifting perceptions about what constitutes a "WWE superstar."
As AJ Styles prepares to wind down his "phenomenal" career, his legacy is firmly established. He is universally recognized as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of his generation, lauded for his incredible versatility, technical prowess, aerial maneuvers, and uncanny ability to connect with audiences worldwide. His decision to retire proactively, while still performing at an elite level, reflects a dedication to maintaining the integrity of the "AJ Styles" brand that he meticulously built over two decades. His potential transition into a coaching or producing role within WWE suggests that his profound impact on the wrestling industry will likely continue for years to come.
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