AJ Styles: WWE Did Not Announce My Hall Of Fame Induction To Stop AEW Move, I Decided To Retire On My Own

AJ Styles shuts down rumours that WWE stopped him going to AEW through his Hall of Fame induction.

This last Monday on RAW, The Undertaker announced AJ Styles as a 2026 inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame just a few weeks after ‘The Phenomenal One’ had his WWE career ended by GUNTHER at the Royal Rumble. Given that AJ had previously taken to X to reveal he wouldn’t go into any Hall of Fame while he was still active, many assumed this had put to bed speculation he could wrestle elsewhere before he truly calls it a day in the ring. However, with news then emerging via Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer that the induction was a legitimate surprise to AJ, skeptics suggested the company may have done this to stop him from going to AEW. It now appears that isn’t the case.

Appearing on Talk N Shop, Styles rebuked those who claimed WWE used the Hall of Fame to stop him wrestling outside the company.

“Everybody wants to say, ‘Oh, WWE put him in the Hall of Fame so that he couldn’t go to AEW.’ Guys, I’m retired from wrestling in the ring. That’s all this is. I make my own choices. I make my own decisions. I was ready.”

-AJ Styles

With that, it looks confirmed that Styles’ career has come to an end after over 25 years of competing in the ring. Having memorable runs with all three of WWE, NJPW, and TNA respectively, the 48-year-old is an icon of the industry who will now focus on life outside the squared circle.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on AJ Styles’ future as soon as we hear more.

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