Doc Gallows sees AJ Styles having some kind of connection to the pro wrestling business, even after he’s done as an in-ring competitor.
Gallows recently spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard ahead of his MLW debut. During the conversation, Gallows was asked about Styles’ upcoming retirement plans. Styles says he will finish his career as an in-ring competitor in 2026.
Gallows initially joked and said he’s not sure Styles will do it, noting how he already pulled a fake retirement angle in 2024. Gallows then said he’s very happy for his friend, knowing how much he values time with his family at home, although he believes Styles will still maintain a connection with the wrestling business in some way.
“All jokes aside, I’m happy for AJ. He’s one of the biggest history makers in all of professional wrestling. This modern era wouldn’t be what it is without AJ Styles and the people around him. So I’m happy for him to get to go home and spend some time with his family,” Gallows said. “But on a serious note, I don’t know how somebody like AJ, who’s been so immersed in this since his youth, is going to be able to turn that off. I think he’s going to find it difficult.
“I’m not saying that he’s going to jump back in and start doing big marquee matches again,” he noted, “but I feel like AJ will stay around the business in some way. Not because he needs to, but probably because he’ll end up wanting to.”
Doc Gallows says his own father followed a similar path when he retired
Gallows said his father recently retired after building his own business and signed everything over to his brother. Gallows thought retirement would mean more family time, but now finds his father creating new ways to stay busy and working.
“I was like, ‘I’m so happy about your retirement. You can be down here in Georgia with me and the baby all the time and we can do all this stuff.’ Then I went to his house and they were building an office in his basement. He didn’t retire,” Gallows said. “He just went downstairs instead of driving to work. He’s like, ‘What do I do? This is something that I’ve built my whole life. It’s my life’s work, so I can’t imagine not doing it.’ You kind of have to.”
In regard to Styles, Gallows said if he’s willing, the wrestling business would be silly not to welcome Styles’ contributions, whatever they are.
“No matter where it is or who it is, you have someone like AJ Styles and if they’re willing, why would you not want their input on professional wrestling? Some of the greatest moments in professional wrestling had AJ Styles as a part of them. So I think that you don’t want to let go of that either if the person’s willing in any way.”
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