AJ Styles Retires at Royal Rumble, Moves to Mentoring Role and Supports Son’s GCW Debut

WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles ended his in‑ring career at the Royal Rumble 2026 Premium Live Event in Riyadh, losing a career‑on‑the‑line match to Gunther. In a post‑match interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, he said the decision felt right and reflected on the mental strain of retirement, admitting he “questioned everything” in the weeks before his final bout.

After retiring, Styles transitioned to a backstage and ambassador role at WWE’s Performance Center, where he works as a trainer and mentor. He is actively coaching his 19‑year‑old son Avery Jones, who debuted on the independent circuit in Georgia and is slated to appear for Game Changer Wrestling in Omaha and Minneapolis later this summer. Styles praised Avery’s talent but said he is not yet ready for WWE.

During his last year, Styles formed a brief tag‑team partnership with Dragon Lee, winning the World Tag Team Championship in October 2025 before dropping the titles after a 70‑day reign. Dragon Lee described Styles as a major influence, saying he “pushed me to the next level.”