“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles has officially announced that he will be retiring from professional wrestling in 2026. The former multi-time WWE Champion, who has been one of the most acclaimed in-ring performers of his generation for over two decades, made the announcement during the WWE Super Show-Down: Perth Kickoff show. His decision marks the beginning of the end for an iconic career that has seen him win major championships all over the world, from TNA and New Japan Pro-Wrestling to WWE. The news adds an extra layer of emotional weight to his upcoming match against John Cena, another legend who is in the midst of his own farewell tour.
During the kickoff show, Styles was asked about his future and was candid about his decision to hang up his boots.
“I’m getting old, folks. Listen, if I could find the fountain of youth and take a couple sips, I’d wrestle for the rest of my life, but I am getting older. The fear of embarrassing myself is getting closer. 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.”
Styles is scheduled to face John Cena at the WWE Super Show-Down: Perth Premium Live Event tomorrow, a match that is being billed as Cena’s final match ever in Australia.
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