Home / Sports / AJ Styles Announces WWE Retirement in 2026, Cites Family Time as Key Reason
AJ Styles Announces WWE Retirement in 2026, Cites Family Time as Key Reason
10 Oct
Summary
- AJ Styles to retire from WWE in 2026
- Wants to leave the ring with grace, avoid embarrassment
- Open to future role as trainer or producer for WWE
As of October 10th, 2025, WWE superstar AJ Styles has confirmed his plans to retire from the company in 2026. The 48-year-old veteran, known as "The Phenomenal One," has decided to call it quits on his illustrious in-ring career, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and avoid embarrassing himself in the ring.
Styles, who is set to face off against John Cena at the upcoming Crown Jewel event in Perth, Australia, has been one of the last remaining icons of the current WWE era. Cena, another legendary figure, is also expected to bid farewell to the squared circle by the end of 2025, marking the end of an era for the company.
While Styles' retirement is still a year away, he has made it clear that he is ready to hang up his boots and move on to the next chapter of his life. However, the veteran superstar has not ruled out the possibility of working behind the scenes for WWE in the future, expressing interest in potentially becoming a trainer or producer for the company.
"I will definitely retire within the next year. 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," Styles revealed in a recent interview.
