Is AJ Styles going to sign with AEW now that his WWE Career is over? The former World Champion has responded to the speculation.
Styles officially brought his WWE in-ring career to an end on the February 23 episode of WWE Raw. Following a video package tribute to Creed’s anthem “Higher”, Styles appeared live to address the fans and his family, who were sat in the front row.
When all was said and done, Styles’ celebration was then interrupted by The Undertaker, who informed the 2-time WWE Champion that he would be going into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class. The Induction will take place over WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas.
With Styles’ contract rumoured to be expiring soon, there has been heavy speculation that The Phenomenal One could be on his way to AEW soon to round out his in-ring career. Along with Styles having history with many of the stars of All Elite Wrestling from his time in TNA and New Japan, it is also one final promotion for the veteran to tick off before wrapping things up.
AJ Styles Not Going To AEW
Appearing on the Talk N Shop podcast, Styles responded to the rumours that he might be AEW-bound, along with a fan theory that he was put in the WWE Hall of Fame so that he couldn’t become All Elite:
“Let me give you something to talk about. So, everybody wants to say, ‘Oh! WWE put him [AJ Styles] in the Hall of Fame so that he couldn’t go to AEW.’ Guys, I am retired from wrestling in the ring. Like, that’s all this is. I make my own choices, I make my own decisions. I was ready.“
Later in the show, Styles also noted that he plans to keep working for WWE, effectively putting to an end any rumours about signing with the rival promotion:
“I am still going to be working with WWE. That’s not going to change. I have these dreams of helping out young talent. If somebody is not ready once they get there, it’s my job to hopefully help them get to that point to where they can do it, and they are confident when they step into a WWE ring. Being able to help with that is a blessing.”
