AJ Styles Reportedly was ‘Well Aware’ AEW was Willing to Make Substantial Offer

As noted before, this past 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. The show also featured the official announcement of Styles being inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame as part of this year’s class.

The Undisputed’s Justin Barrasso reported that his sources close to Styles stated that Styles was aware that AEW would have made him a “substantial offer” with a favorable work schedule if he decided to wrestle outside of WWE.

Barrasso reported that Styles meant what he said during his speech about spending time at home with his family.

Barrasso also reported that WWE’s decision to induct Styles into their Hall of Fame was done specifically to severely limit any potential AEW CEO Tony Khan had about bringing in Styles for a surprise appearance at this March’s AEW Revolution 2026 event.

Barrasso speculated that AEW’s upcoming Double or Nothing 2026 event this May feels too soon for Styles to make a potential appearance for the company following his retirement speech at this past Monday’s WWE RAW show.