AJ Styles lost a retirement match against GUNTHER last weekend at WWE Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia. After the match was over, the Phenomenal One took off his gloves and teased leaving them in the ring. However, he ended things by putting those gloves back on and posing for the crowd.
A lot of wrestling fans interpreted AJ’s decision to walk out with his gloves on as a sign that even though his WWE in-ring career is over, he may end up working matches in AEW, TNA, or NJPW later this year before calling it quits for good.
In a new interview on What’s Your Story? With Steph McMahon, Styles explained why he put his gloves back on after the match. It doesn’t sound like AJ has any plans to return to the ring right now, but you never say never in pro wrestling.
“I don’t know…never say never, right? That’s the saying. I think everybody’s allowed at least once coming out of retirement. I’m not saying that I’ll do it anytime soon.”
Styles said he’s working with his second oldest son right now on becoming a pro wrestler, and he wouldn’t be surprised if his daughter is also interested in it. With that in mind, it’s too early to say that the Royal Rumble loss was definitely the final match of his pro wrestling career.
“I mean, what if my son wrestles? The opportunity to tag with him once? You never know. So, there will be a time when the gloves never go back on, and it may be now. But we’ll see.”
AJ also explained why he’s cool with his children choosing pro wrestling for a career path.
“I never thought I would want my kids to wrestle, but it’s way different than it’s ever been, and a lot better than it’s ever been when it comes to professional wrestling. It’s done right at this point, so I’d be happy if they wrestled.”
Do you think AJ Styles will return to the ring again in 2026 based on his “never say never” explanation for putting his gloves back on after GUNTHER killed his WWE career in Saudi Arabia? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
