It’s been more than two weeks since AJ Styles lost to Gunther at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Styles’ career ended due to the career-threatening stipulation and was forced to retire.
But since The Phenomenal One decided to put his gloves back on, many assumed that he would not be retiring. However, WWE’s latest announcement this past Monday on Raw could confirm his official status.
WWE aired a video package featuring Styles’ match against Gunther at the Rumble. It then showed some of the highlights of the two-time WWE Champion’s career, including footage from TNA Wrestling.
At the end of it, it revealed that there will be “A Tribute to AJ Styles” on next week’s Raw in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s unclear if Styles is going to be present, but he lives an hour away from Atlanta in Gainesville, Georgia.
Update on Styles’ WWE contract
Fightful Select first reported back in September that AJ Styles’ WWE contract was expiring around February. It seemed like the report was accurate since Styles lost a career threatening match at the Royal Rumble and was forced to retire.
Styles was still able to appear on Stephanie McMahon‘s podcast after his retirement, so it’s safe to say that he’s still under contract with WWE.
According to PWInsider.com, Styles and WWE have had negotiations about an extension before failing to sign a deal. It’s the reason why both sides decided to have the retirement match against Gunther.
The report added that despite reaching an agreement on a new contract, both sides are still in discussion about Styles’ future with the company. And based on Fightful Select’s report, he could be a free agent by next month.
Styles has been linked to TNA Wrestling and AEW, but he’s also been adamant about not wanting to wrestle anymore. Shinsuke Nakamura famously leaked a private conversation between him and Styles in Japan last year, confirming that The Phenomenal One was indeed done after the Rumble.
Styles Not Closing Door on In-Ring Return
After his retirement at the Royal Rumble, AJ Styles appeared on What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon podcast produced by WWE and Fanatics. Styles confirmed that he’s no longer an active in-ring performer, but he’s not closing the doors on a potential return for at least one more match.
McMahon asked Styles what his glove gesture meant at the Rumble, when he took it off before putting it back in.
“I don’t know. I don’t know. Never say never, right? That’s the saying. I think everybody’s allowed at least once to come out of retirement. I’m not saying that I’ll do it anytime soon. What if my son wrestles? The opportunity to tag with him once, you never know. So, there’ll be a time when the gloves never go back on. It may be now, but we’ll see,” Styles said.
Styles revealed to McMahon that his second son, Avery Jones, has been training with him. His daughter, Anney Jones, is also interested in pro wrestling, so the door is open for her to try it when she’s ready.
WWE Announces Huge AJ Styles News on Raw