AJ Styles shared his original retirement plans, which were adjusted due to an injury sustained in 2024.
In a video diary posted by WWE, Styles was followed throughout the week leading up to his match with Gunther at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh last month.
Styles shared that he was originally set to retire at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas last April, but an injury in October 2024 changed those plans.
Styles sustained a Lisfranc injury in his foot during a match with Carmelo Hayes in October 2024, sidelining the performer for four months. He returned at the Royal Rumble in February 2025 but felt retiring at WrestleMania 41 in two months would’ve been too quick.
Instead, Styles wrestled Logan Paul at WrestleMania and worked throughout the year, including a run with the World Tag Titles alongside Dragon Lee.
He explained that he liked the idea of having his final match at the same event where he debuted, referring to the Royal Rumble, where he made his WWE debut in January 2016.
WWE is planning a tribute segment for Styles this Monday on Raw from Atlanta.
