A new report has fueled speculation that AJ Styles could finally be heading to AEW after retiring from WWE this week.
Following his career-ending loss to Gunther at the Royal Rumble last month, supporters of "The Phenomenal One" got the catharsis they wanted on this week's edition of Monday Night Raw. They got a great highlight reel package. His teammates showered him with love and then The Undertaker surprised him with the news that he was being inducted into the 2026 class of the WWE Hall of Fame.
It was one of the best farewells WWE has ever given to a retiring performer. However, that hasn't stopped speculation from die-hard AEW fans that he will eventually make the jump to a rival wrestling brand.
The assumption is that since his WWE contract is up, after he gets some much-needed time off as a full-time father, the wrestling itch will eventually return and he'll scratch it in AEW. The No. 2 company in the world, a place where he has lots of friends, and a promotion with a boss who is his avowed fan.
However, this possibility seems even more unlikely after new comments from one-time Bullet Club and OC castmate Karl Anderson.
Is AJ Styles dealing with a serious neck injury?
"We get to the back, I said, 'AJ! I didn't know you were actually going to retire.' He says, 'Really!?' I said, 'Yes.' What exactly do you mean, AJ?'" Anderson said on a new edition of his Talkin 'n' Shop podcast. “We haven't talked. How do I know whether you are really going to retire or not?'
"And he said, 'Man, I have to. My neck's a pain in the ass. I'm beat up. It's time,'" he said, recalling their conversation Monday night. "'I want to help the next generation,' and I say, 'Well, I didn't really believe it. So I just kept talking on my podcast about how you weren't going to retire, and you're going to go here, and you're going to go there, and now, I have to eat a lot of crow, dude.'"
Apparently, AJ Styles may undergo surgery to fix whatever problem he has with his neck. However, after performing in sports for more than 25 years, the problem may become serious and require major surgery. This is something he may want to avoid during the months or years of rehabilitation.
Styles has made it clear that he wanted to retire before he was no longer able to compete at the level he desired. A serious neck injury a few months before his 49th birthday provides evidence as to why he is retiring from not just WWE but the industry as a whole.
