What we know about AJ Styles moving forward (Patreon)

AJ Styles’ WWE career is over.

A number of months ago, Fightful Select reported that at the time, the belief was that AJ Styles’ WWE contract was up sometime in February 2026. We can’t confirm that to be the case, but we’ve heard nothing about an extension as of this point. There were a number of outlets speaking as if that was still the case, but we’ve reported no updates since then. One TNA source believed he would or had extended with WWE before the Royal Rumble, but we’ve not confirmed that.

On the possibility of working TNA, it was communicated by WWE sources that if he wanted to do that badly enough, he could while under WWE contract. 

One WWE source familiar with the situation says that regardless of what happens ith his future, AJ Styles has very much had it his way as it relates to his WWE retirement. Another source in management said that they would happily extend AJ Styles, but that he has made it very clear for years that he was eyeing retirement. 

The topic was a major point of conversation backstage in AEW at Dynamite on January 28, with people on the team speculating what he was doing. As of February 3, we have not been told that an offer it made, but it was universally expected among AEW sources that if AEW is able to, they would bring in Styles. Styles is still close with a number of people in All Elite Wrestling. 

It is expected that New Japan Pro Wrestling would want to use him as well, in the middle of them losing a ton of talent. 

One source close to AJ Styles said they knew Styles’ in ring career was ending at Royal Rumble, but aren’t sure what he’s doing next. It was communicated by that source that AJ will do what he wants to do regardless of money, and he’s in a position to do so.