Jason Burgos
If AJ Styles did get the itch to end his retirement at some point, the future WWE Hall of Famer is reportedly well aware that a “substantial offer” is waiting for him from AEW.
On Monday, WWE delivered the sort of send-off fans wanted for wrestling legend AJ Styles. After the heartbreak of his career-ending loss to Gunther at the Royal Rumble last month, supporters of “The Phenomenal One” got the catharsis they needed.
Styles got the chance to let fans know how much he appreciated them and say goodbye as an in-ring competitor. He got a fantastic highlight reel package. Was showered with love by his contemporaries, and then was surprised with the news that he would be inducted into the 2026 class of the WWE Hall of Fame.
It was one of the best send-offs WWE has ever put together for a retiring performer. However, it has not stopped the speculation from diehard AEW fans that he will eventually make the jump to the rival wrestling brand. Styles has close friends in the company, and CEO Tony Khan has not hidden the fact that he is a big fan of his.
In a new report from Justin Barrasso, fuel was seemingly added to the rumors of Styles going to AEW. However, it may be a long wait before it happens.
AJ Styles knows a big offer is waiting for him in AEW
“With Styles getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, it severely limits any potential AEW owner, Tony Khan had of bringing Styles in for a surprise appearance at the Revolution pay-per-view in March,” Barrasso wrote. “For AEW, their post-WrestleMania show is Double or Nothing in May–and even that feels too soon for Styles to appear.
“That isn’t to imply Styles was looking to wrestle again. He meant what he said about spending time at home with family. But speaking to a few people close to him, Styles was well aware that AEW was willing to make a substantial offer,” he added. “And it was likely going to be one that wouldn’t cost him much time away from home.”
Styles himself even left the door open to a return to wrestling down the line. Typically, when WWE gives a performer a retirement sendoff, they don’t go back on it. If Styles did want to return, Paul Levesque could break away from the trend that Vince McMahon started. If he doesn’t, it would make a return in AEW not a question of if, but when.
