October 5th 2024.
AJ Styles has been a professional wrestler for an impressive 26 years, and it's clear that his years in the ring have taken a toll on his body. The 46-year-old WWE superstar recently suffered an injury on SmackDown, just minutes into his return on Friday night. And now, after almost three decades in the business, he's ready to hang up his boots.
Despite the renewed relationship between WWE and TNA Wrestling, Styles has made it clear that he has no desire to return to a TNA ring. In an exclusive interview with The Agency earlier this year, he stated that it's simply not in the cards for him. And during WrestleMania weekend, he further elaborated on his decision, saying, "As much as I love the guys and girls at TNA and respect the company, I think this is my last stop in WWE. I don't want to do it anymore. It's not because I don't want to wrestle, but my body is begging me to stop. I believe this is the right place for me to end my career."
Styles also made it clear that he has no plans for a one-off appearance at TNA, even if it doesn't involve wrestling. His focus is solely on his time in WWE and making the most of his remaining matches. And as his match with Carmelo Hayes was halted on Friday night, it's clear that Styles is still at the top of his game.
The Phenomenal One has achieved great success in his career, becoming a two-time world champion in WWE and racking up numerous title reigns around the world. But he acknowledges that the demanding schedule of a wrestler can take its toll. However, he reminds himself to appreciate every moment and opportunity he has. "There are days when we don't want to get up early, or do certain things, but the truth is, we get to do this," he says with a smile. "We get to meet fans who admire us for what we do in the ring. We can't forget about what got us in the game, right?"
Although Styles is nearing the end of his career, he has no regrets. He knows that he has given his all in the ring and will have an incredible legacy to look back on. And while he admits that retirement will be "easy" for him, he also recognizes the importance of enjoying the time he has lost over the years due to his wrestling career.
"I think that we bust our tails in this ring so that we can enjoy the time that we've lost for so many years," Styles reflects. "That's what retirement is all about. Once it's over, it'll be easy for me to say, 'Okay, I did what I was supposed to do. I fought as hard as I could for as long as I could, and hopefully didn't embarrass myself.' But now, it's time to enjoy the fruits of my labor. No more missing birthdays, high school events, or any other milestones. I'll be there as a father to witness it all. I've missed enough."
Although Styles has had countless incredible matches and moments in his career, he can't help but recall a few embarrassing ones as well. When asked to choose his most embarrassing moment in wrestling, he chuckles and recalls a particularly frustrating WrestleMania moment. "I hit my face on the side of the entrance way," he admits. "If you zoom in on the footage, you'll see how angry I was. My face was bleeding, my hood came off, and my entire entrance was ruined. That was pretty embarrassing!"
As Styles nears the end of his career, he has no plans to slow down or take it easy. He's focused on making the most of every moment and creating unforgettable memories in the ring. And while his retirement may be just around the corner, he's grateful for the incredible journey he's had in the world of professional wrestling. This article was originally published on April 12, 2024, and serves as a testament to the legendary career of AJ Styles.
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