WWE: AJ Styles on His Decision to Retire at Royal Rumble Instead of WrestleMania 42, Dustin Rhodes on Not Being Interested in Future WWE Return, Xavier Woods Provides Shoulder Injury & Return Plans Update

As noted before, Monday’s WWE RAW show in Atlanta, Georgia featured WWE holding several tributes to AJ Styles’ wrestling career and for Styles giving a speech officially confirming his retirement from wrestling.

A recent episode of the WWE RAW Recap podcast featured Styles as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Styles’ thoughts about his decision to retire from his wrestling career at this past January’s Royal Rumble 2026 event instead of waiting until WrestleMania 42.

“It was coming back from an injury to WrestleMania to a match that, to me, didn’t have much build. WrestleMania, I’m sorry to say, used to be the most prestigious PLE, but to me, it’s kind of lost its luster a little bit. As far as the Royal Rumble, that’s special to me because that’s where I made my debut. To be able to end where I started is poetic.”

Styles also gave his thoughts about why he felt now was the right time to retire from his wrestling career.

“Now is the right time to retire so I don’t make a fool out of myself, so I don’t embarrass myself. I’m on the verge of doing just that. It’s not easy, mind you, but it’s time.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com 1 & 2

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Dustin Rhodes Comments on Not Being Interested in Future WWE Return

In a recent response to a fan on Twitter, former WWE talent and current AEW talent and coach Dustin Rhodes gave his thoughts about why he is not interested in making a potential return to WWE in the future.

This fan stated “Bring Goldust back to WWE immediately” and Rhodes responded stating:

“Nope! I never got a raise there. What, you want me sitting the bench doing nothing? That ain’t me anymore. I have done the best work of my career with @AEW. I love the character Goldust, but he ran its course. I did what I was told and it got me nowhere. No thanks.”

Nope! I never got a raise there. What, you want me sitting the bench doing nothing? That ain't me anymore. I have done the best work of my career with @AEW . I love the character Goldust, but he ran its course. I did what I was told and it got me nowhere. No thanks. https://t.co/dh8p7ua4sW

— Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) February 24, 2026

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Xavier Woods Provides Shoulder Injury & Return Plans Update

As noted before, Xavier Woods has been out of action for WWE since competing in a dark match at this past January’s Royal Rumble 2026 event due to a lingering shoulder injury.

WrestleZone held a recent interview with Woods. One of the topics discussed included Woods providing an update on the status of his recovery from his shoulder injury and potential return plans.

“I feel ok. Lifting things with my shoulder doesn’t feel ok. I kind of put it through like a meat grinder, so we’ll see how it is.Hopefully, it’s a few weeks of physical therapy, and then we’ll be back at it. But if not, I will let everybody know. But yeah, it’s alright. We’re just staying positive.”

Woods made an appearance on Monday’s WWE RAW show in Atlanta, Georgia in a non-physical role and was seen sporting a sling on his arm.