AJ Styles WWE Contract Update & Reason for Styles’ WWE Retirement Match at Royal Rumble 2026

As noted before, AJ Styles retired from his WWE in-ring wrestling career following his loss to Gunther in a Career Threatening match at last Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble 2026 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This match was notable for Styles taking off his gloves and then putting it right back on during his post-match farewell to the crowd leading to the belief that Styles is not done with his in-ring career. Styles revealed in a recent interview with the What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon podcast that he is leaving the door open for a potential in-ring return in the future.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Styles and WWE officials had been in talks for a potential new contract but the decision was made to go with the Styles vs. Gunther match at the Royal Rumble due to a new deal was not locked in as the event was approaching.

Johnson reported that it was Styles’ idea to end his WWE wrestling career at the Royal Rumble event because it is the same PLE where he made his official WWE debut in 2016.

Styles and WWE officials reportedly are still discussing his future with the company but it is currently not known if a new contract has been signed.

Johnson also reported that while Styles would be free to explore outside options if he becomes a free agent, he has not heard of any rumblings from his sources about Styles wanting to get back into the ring in the near future.