AJ Styles has confirmed that he plans to retire within the next year, per an interview with Tokyo Sports (h/t Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com).
As far as a post-retirement move goes, Styles envisions himself working for WWE, potentially as a trainer for developing wrestlers.
“I haven’t decided yet, but I think I’ll probably work for WWE,” he said, per Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports. “It might be good to train young wrestlers to be worthy of being on the main roster.”
The 48-year-old Styles is a legend in the business who made a major impact in his nearly three decades of professional wrestling. He was a superstar for TNA (2002-2014), and his accolades included the NWA world heavyweight championship (three times), the TNA world heavyweight title (twice) and the X Division championship (six times, including the first-ever title). He was also the first-ever Triple Crown champion and first-ever Grand Slam champion for the promotion.
He wrestled for both Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling from 2014-2016 before making his way to WWE in 2016. Styles has been a superstar there as well, earning the WWE Championship twice and the United States Championship three times, among other accolades. He also wrestled the Undertaker in one of the more unique and respected matches in recent memory, when the two took part in a Boneyard match at WrestleMania 36 in 2020.
Unfortunately, Styles’ time in the ring will be over soon, but one can surmise he’ll be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame someday for his tremendous career. In the meantime, Styles is still active, and he’ll be taking on another legend retiring soon in John Cena. The two will face each other on Oct. 11 at WWE Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia.
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