AJ Styles already confirmed he’s retiring in 2026— but don’t expect a grand farewell tour like John Cena’s. According to Cena himself, the former WWE Champion has no interest in a drawn-out goodbye, even with fans begging for one.
Speaking to Chris Van Vliet, John Cena revealed a backstage conversation he had with Styles earlier this year during their feud. Cena asked if Styles would consider doing something similar to his own retirement run — a farewell series of matches, promos, and appearances.
“Off-cam, AJ Styles—such a great dude. I got to talk to him a little bit while we were locked in our program this year. I’m like, ‘Man, AJ, there are a lot of people who really admire you out there. I know you’re thinking of calling it quits soon. Do you think there’s any possibility you’d try to do something like this? I honestly think people would pay to see you one last time.’”
Cena expected at least some consideration, but instead, he got an answer that said everything without needing a long explanation. Styles, while lacing up his boots, hit him with the reality of where he’s at physically — and why extending his run just to do a tour doesn’t make sense to him anymore.
“He’s literally tying his shoes, turns to me and says, ‘Man, I’m 48,’ and as soon as the words left his mouth, he didn’t have to say anything else. There’s just something about those late 40s, where he’s like, ‘I’m already overstaying my physical welcome—they just don’t see it. They don’t see what goes into the prep, the cooldown, the recovery. I’m already riding that razor’s edge.’”
For AJ, still being able to perform doesn’t mean it’s easy. Cena explained that even though Styles continues to deliver in the ring, he knows his body’s limits — and he refuses to keep going once it compromises the standard he’s built.
“You can’t tell, because he still looks great, still does great stuff—but he can’t stay another second, because he doesn’t want to put out a product that isn’t AJ Styles.”
Then came the clearest confirmation yet. Styles told Cena straight up that he had a hard date in his mind for retirement — and he wasn’t looking to stretch it out with a nostalgia tour. That moment was proof that AJ wants to leave while he can still go, not when he has to be carried out.
“The same goes for me. Like, yeah—this is why I’m going. Because I can still give you what you want. I don’t want to walk away when I can’t. So when AJ said, ‘I’m 48, I can’t. This is the date I have in my mind,’ I got it.”
The Phenomenal One isn’t planning a farewell tour. He’s not going to hang around for a curtain call. He’s walking out on his own terms, when he’s ready, without the grand exit. Just like his in-ring style, his exit will be sharp, deliberate, and all business.
Do you think AJ Styles should reconsider and give fans a farewell tour, or do you respect his choice to exit without the spectacle? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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