AJ Styles has confirmed he plans to retire in 2026 ahead of his highly anticipated match against John Cena at WWE Crown Jewel.
A few weeks ago, AJ Styles confirmed in an interview with Tokyo Sports that he plans to retire in 2026. He also said he might remain with WWE as a trainer after his in-ring career ends. Now, Styles has shared a clearer reason for choosing 2026 as the year to retire.
On the WWE Crown Jewel Kickoff Show, Michael Cole asked AJ Styles about his claims from with Tokyo Sports interview, where he indicated that 2026 would likely be his final year in the ring. Fans reacted with boos as Styles smiled at them, saying, “I’m getting old, folks.”
He explained he loves wrestling but is getting older and doesn’t want to embarrass himself in the ring as he ages.
“Listen, if I could find the fountain of youth and take a couple of sips. I will wrestle for the rest of my life, but you know, I am getting older. The fear of embarrassing myself is getting closer.”
Styles clarified that he wants to focus on his family and plans to retire in 2026, leaving the ring on his own terms.
“And you know what, there comes a time in a man’s life when he has, you know, 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.”
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