Jason Burgos
A new report pours ice water on the speculation that AJ Styles could eventually head to AEW following his WWE retirement this week.
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 wanted on this week’s edition of Monday Night Raw. He got a fantastic highlight reel package. Was showered with love by his peers, and then was surprised by The Undertaker with the news that he was joining 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.
The belief is that since his WWE contract has expired, after he gets some much-needed time as a full-time dad, the wrestling itch will eventually return and he will scratch it in AEW. The No. 2 company in the world, a place where he has quite a few friends, and a promotion with an owner who is an admitted fan.
However, that possibility seems even more unlikely following new comments from one-time Bullet Club and the OC pal Karl Anderson.
AJ Styles dealing with a serious neck injury?
“We get to the back, I said, ‘AJ! I did not know you were really gonna retire.’ He goes, ‘Really!?’ I said, ‘Yeah. What do you mean, really, AJ?'” Anderson said in a new edition of his Talkin ‘n’ Shop podcast. “We haven’t spoken. How am I supposed to know if you’re really gonna retire or not?’
“And he said, ‘Dude, I have to. My neck is hurting too bad. I’m beat up. It’s time,'” he recalled of their conversation on Monday night. “‘I want to help the next generation,’ and I go, ‘Well, I didn’t really believe it. So I just kept talking on my podcast about how you were not gonna retire, and you’re gonna go here, and you’re gonna go there, and now, I gotta eat a lot of crow, pal.’”
Obviously, AJ Styles could get surgery to fix whatever issues he has with his neck. However, after performing in the sport for over 25 years, the problem could be serious and require major surgery. Something he may look to avoid with months or years of rehab.
Styles has made it clear that he wanted to retire before he could no longer compete at the level he wants. A serious neck injury a few months before his 49th birthday gives more evidence for why he is retiring from the industry altogether and not just WWE.
