AJ Styles Makes Major Revelation About His WWE Retirement
During a recent Chris Van Vliet interview, AJ Styles discusses retirement timeline, admitting wrestling gets harder with age while expressing desire for one final WWE Championship reign.
AJ Styles has definitively addressed his in-ring retirement plans during a recent conversation with Chris Van Vliet. The 47-year-old WWE superstar established a clear timeline for when fans can expect his wrestling career to conclude.
The Phenomenal One expressed that he has spent significant time contemplating his eventual departure from professional wrestling. This reflection process has been extensive as Styles approaches the final chapter of his legendary career.
Oh man, I’ve thought about it a lot—way more than I should have. I should have known what I was doing by now.
His connection to the wrestling world extends beyond simply performing in the ring. Styles emphasized his emotional attachment to the industry and its people as factors making retirement decisions challenging.
It’s so hard because I enjoy it so much, and I love being around my friends. I have the opportunity to see them and seeing them doing well, smiling, and growing makes me happy.
Despite these attachments, Styles was unwavering about his specific retirement parameters. He established a firm age deadline for his in-ring career.
Do I want to wrestle in your 50s? No. Do I want to have a match at 50? No. There are only a few years left, that’s correct. I keep saying that. I’ve said this over and over, but I will not wrestle at 50—I promise you that.
The former WWE Champion compared his situation to WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, who initially retired but eventually returned for an additional match years later.
It’s like Shawn, you know? He was done—until he wasn’t. Sometimes, money talks.
Styles also explained how the physical demands of wrestling have become increasingly challenging with age, identifying a specific aspect that diminishes first.
Things aren’t as easy as they used to be. The first thing you lose is your stamina.
Before concluding his career, Styles hopes to capture the WWE Championship one more time. With his 50th birthday approaching in less than three years, his window for accomplishing this final career goal is narrowing.
