AJ Styles on Him Putting His Gloves Back on After WWE Retirement Match at Royal Rumble 2026 & Potential of Him Wrestling Again in Future

A recent episode of the What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon podcast featured AJ Styles as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Styles’ thoughts about his reason for putting his gloves back on after losing his career threatening match against Gunther at this past Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble 2026 event. Styles also gave his thoughts about the potential of him wrestling again in the future.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. Never say never, right? That’s the saying. I know there’s — I think everybody’s allowed at least once coming out of retirement. I’m not saying that I’ll do it anytime soon. I mean, what if my son wrestles? The opportunity to tag with him once. You never know. There’ll be a time when the gloves never go back on and it may be now, but we’ll see.”

Styles also gave his thoughts about the potential of his children pursing pro wrestling careers in the future.

“I never thought I would want my kids to wrestle, but it’s way different than it’s ever been and a lot better than it’s ever been. It’s done right at this point. So I’d be happy if they wrestled.”

During the interview, host Stephanie McMahon read a letter that was written by Styles’ wife Wendy congratulating her husband on all of his accomplishments in wrestling and looking ahead to the next stage of their lives together.

“To my loving husband whom I call Allen and the world calls ‘The Phenomenal AJ Styles.’

Growing up, who knew I would marry a wrestler? Sure, I would watch wrestling with my grandmother but I never had a desire to marry one. Well, we paid for our small wedding with money made by your short stint in the WCW when you started chasing this dream. You always told me to trust you that you would make it. Never once did you doubt yourself. As your bride, I trusted you and even encouraged you to go when the WWE came knocking very early in your career. I believe that required you to move to Cincinnati. I was in college at the time. As a young married couple, you refused. You chose me. Even when I was pushing you to go, you politely declined the offer.

You always said we would do this together and not apart. Together we have. You have traveled the world wrestling and conquered what many only dream of accomplishing. You have put God and your family first in this business. I truly believe God opened every door and allowed not just you but our family to walk through them. For that, I am eternally grateful. You wanted to beat the house. Well, you did. A phenomenal career. Four amazing and individually gifted kids. And a loving, always supportive wife who has stood beside you the entire time. You won. Come home. The phenomenal times are just beginning. I love you, babe.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com 1 & 2