The latest episode of Monday Night Raw was an emotionally charged tribute to the legendary career of AJ Styles. “The Phenomenal One,” who officially retired from in-ring competition following a brutal loss to Gunther at the Royal Rumble, took to the ring in Atlanta to deliver a heartfelt farewell promo. The segment culminated in a historic, unannounced moment involving one of his greatest WrestleMania rivals.
A Historic Confrontation Turns into a Career Milestone
After Styles emotionally placed his gear in the center of the ring, the arena plunged into darkness, and the iconic gong echoed through the building. The Undertaker made a surprise return, stalking toward the ring to confront a visibly confused Styles. However, rather than reigniting their “Boneyard Match” hostility, The Deadman delivered the news that Styles would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026, joining executive Stephanie McMahon.
The announcement elicited an overwhelming reaction from Styles, who celebrated the capstone achievement in the ring with his family as the roster applauded from the stage.
Following the broadcast, The Undertaker took to X (formerly Twitter) to publicly acknowledge the moment and reiterate his respect for his former opponent. “An honor and a privilege. Congrats, @AJStylesOrg,” The Deadman wrote. The brief but powerful message served as a fitting coda to an unforgettable night celebrating one of the most gifted performers of his generation.
