After GUNTHER took down AJ Styles at Royal Rumble 2026, Styles’ WWE career has seemingly come to an end.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all hope is lost as AJ Styles could be headed for a brand new role that might see him back on screens sooner rather than later.
Here are five potential plans for AJ Styles after his WWE retirement.
5. New NXT GM
Earlier in the week there was an interesting development when NXT GM Ava took to social media to reveal that she would not be renewing her contract with WWE.
While there haven’t been any official storyline explanations or reveals just yet, AJ Styles could be the perfect fit for the job.
Holding on to the NXT GM role, even if only given an ‘Interim’ designation in storyline, Styles could effectively cause some fun chaos across NXT and TNA Wrestling.
With the continued crossovers between NXT and TNA, perhaps the move would be the perfect way for Styles to spend the rest of 2026.
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4. Debuts In AEW
Potentially going the way of Bryan Danielson and Adam Copeland (Edge), perhaps AJ Styles is set to return to TV sooner than fans think.
While there haven’t been specific details regarding Styles’ contract revealed, it has been long reported that his contract with the company was set to end in February 2026.
Able to theoretically pop up on AEW programming at any point in the near future, Styles could end up having been retired from WWE by GUNTHER but not entirely retired from professional wrestling.
Certainly able to face a host of former foes and friends alike in the company, Styles would be a huge signing for Tony Khan.
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3. WWE Hall Of Fame 2026 Inductee
Although AJ Styles may have departed WWE after a loss to GUNTHER at the 2026 Royal Rumble, perhaps he won’t be gone for too long.
Since the current WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026 continues to be only Stephanie McMahon, it would seem that more announcements are still coming soon.
With AJ Styles seemingly a perfect fit to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, it could be that 2026 is his year.
Certainly able to return to WWE TV on this Road to WrestleMania, Styles could stay retired but also remain involved in some of the storylines moving forward.
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2. Returns To TNA Wrestling
One potential option that fans have considered for AJ Styles moving forward is that he finishes his planned retirement year in TNA Wrestling.
With Styles giving a passionate promo about not being quite done in his career yet on WWE Raw on January 25, he could end up popping back up in TNA.
Since the brand has recently launched a new show on the AMC Network, Styles could definitely become a cornerstone of the new Thursday Night Impact and finish out his career on his terms.
Able to have final showdowns with more of his storied career rivals, Styles’ star power would bolster TNA while also giving fans the opportunity to properly say goodbye to the Phenomenal One.
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1. Actually Retires (For Now)
While some fans are holding out hope that AJ Styles will appear elsewhere after his final bout in WWE against GUNTHER, it could be that he really retires.
Supporting the theory perhaps this isn’t really the end for the legend, Styles didn’t leave his boots or gloves in the ring on his way out of Riyadh after his loss at the Royal Rumble 2026.
Potentially looking to take time off from in-ring work for the foreseeable future, Styles could end up making a surprise appearance in the future.
Certainly able to return to competition as a legend that fans would be thrilled to see, perhaps the next time fans really will see AJ Styles in the ring will be in a future major event like a Royal Rumble.
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