Backstage News On AJ Styles' WWE Retirement At Royal Rumble 2026

AJ Styles put his career on the line at WWE Royal Rumble 2026 and ultimately came up short in Saudi Arabia as Styles passed out while trapped in a sleeper hold from Gunther. The loss ultimately ended Styles' career, in WWE at least.

It emerged in the days ahead of the Royal Rumble that the pay-per-view would likely be Styles' final WWE match, and one source close to the situation told Fightful Select that regardless of his pro wrestling future, Styles "very much had it his way" for his WWE retirement.

The belief going back months was that Styles' WWE contract was expiring at some point in February 2026. A source within WWE management noted they would happily extend Styles' contract with the company, but the 48-year-old had made it clear for years that he was looking at retirement.

At least for this week, Styles remains connected to WWE, as he was at WWE HQ in Stamford, Connecticut on Monday, according to PWInsider.

AJ Styles has been a part of WWE since making his debut at Royal Rumble 2016. In addition to his two reigns as WWE Champion, Styles is a three-time United States Champion, one-time Intercontinental Champion, and two-time WWE Tag Team Champion, having held the belts with Omos and Dragon Lee.