Finn Balor Recalls Being Blown Away When AJ Styles Retired From WWE So Soon Into 2026

Finn Bálor was stunned when AJ Styles retired in January.

Back at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event, AJ Styles lost to the GUNTHER in a match in which ‘The Phenomenal One’ had put his WWE career on the line. While the 48-year-old had previously made it clear that 2026 would bring the end of his days as an active talent, few would’ve expected the curtain to have fallen as early as January. Now, it seems it wasn’t just fans that were surprised by Styles’ early exit at the hands of ‘The Ring General’ just over two months ago.

Appearing on Talk ‘n’ Shop, Finn Bálor revealed he was blown away when AJ Styles said he was retiring at the Royal Rumble.

“AJ had told me he was thinking about retiring in 2026. And in my brain that was like, ‘Oh, okay. That’s Survivor Series.’ And then I think we’re walking out of a RAW taping in Germany two weeks before his actual retirement, and we’re walking out onto the bus. I said, ‘You’re working Gunther soon?’ He goes, ‘Yes. Think it might be the last one.’ I was like, ‘For real?’ He goes, ‘Yeah.’ Whoa. Holy cow. I was blown away. I must say I’m super happy for him to be able to step away with his general health. No major injuries so to speak. I know he’s a little banged up like we all are, but to step away on his terms and be with his family, that’s such a beautiful thing. I wish him the best and I’m sure I’ll be seeing him pretty soon.”

-Finn Bálor

Both Bálor and Styles had a huge impact in New Japan Pro Wrestling and will always be connected for their respective times leading the Bullet Club. Even during their time on RAW and SmackDown, they’d often make reference to that period of their respective careers.

Speaking of their time in NJPW, Bálor revealed elsewhere in the interview that he was once prepared to spend his entire career in Japan. You can read more about that here.

As for what AJ Styles is doing now, ‘The Phenomenal One’ recently opened up on his new role with WWE. You can read more about that here.

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

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