AJ Styles Confirms 2026 Retirement During WWE Crown Jewel Kickoff
After nearly three decades in the ring, AJ Styles has officially set a timeline for his retirement. Speaking at WWE’s Crown Jewel Kickoff event in Perth, Australia, Styles confirmed that he plans to retire in 2026, ending one of the most consistently acclaimed careers in modern wrestling history.
Styles’ comments follow up on remarks he made to Tokyo Sports late last month, where he hinted that retirement was “certain” to happen within the next year. When asked again during Friday’s WWE Crown Jewel Kickoff, “The Phenomenal One” didn’t hesitate to make it official.
“I’m getting old, folks. Listen, if I could find the Fountain of Youth and take a couple of sips, I would wrestle for the rest of my life,” Styles said. “But, you know, I am getting older. The fear of embarrassing myself is getting closer. And you know what? There comes a time in a man’s life when he has to take care of business. But when business is done, it’s time to take care of his family. I need to spend time with my family. The whole idea with wrestling and having an amazing future in this business is to be able to retire one day. And in 2026, I will retire.”
The 47-year-old veteran admitted in previous interviews that while he isn’t certain what comes next, he hopes to stay involved with WWE — possibly as a coach or mentor for the next generation of talent.
The End of a Legendary Run
Styles’ announcement comes just days before he renews one of his most storied rivalries, facing John Cena at Crown Jewel: Perth. With Cena also on his farewell tour, this weekend’s clash will likely be the final encounter between two generational icons who helped define an era.
Styles has accomplished nearly everything there is to achieve in professional wrestling:
- Two-time WWE Champion
- Three-time United States Champion
- Intercontinental and Tag Team titleholder
- Multiple-time world champion across TNA, NJPW, and WWE
From his early days redefining the X-Division to becoming one of WWE’s most respected performers, Styles’ career has been synonymous with excellence.
A timeline for his final match in 2026 has yet to be determined, but it’s safe to say the WWE Universe will be preparing for an emotional farewell tour.
💬 Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
AJ Styles’ decision feels like the end of an era — not just for WWE, but for the wrestling world as a whole. Very few athletes have bridged as many generations and styles (no pun intended) as AJ has — from his high-flying prime in TNA and New Japan to his late-career storytelling renaissance in WWE.
If 2026 truly marks his final year, expect WWE to give him a career-long victory lap leading into a Hall of Fame induction that feels well-earned. Styles doesn’t just leave behind a legacy — he leaves a blueprint for how to adapt, evolve, and thrive for nearly 30 years.
