AJ STYLES’ JAPAN FAREWELL FUELS SPECULATION ABOUT WWE RETIREMENT TOUR
AJ Styles was given an emotional farewell in Japan, with CM Punk hinting it was his last WWE appearance there. The Phenomenal One is set to retire from wrestling in 2026.
As WWE stars age or have injuries, retirement is inevitable, but many fans were taken aback when the renowned AJ Styles declared that next year would be his last. As a result, fans are anticipating each appearance at different WWE events as though it would be their final chance to see Styles live.
Among the highlighted talents at the recent live events in Japan were Styles, Dominik Mysterio, Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer, CM Punk, and numerous others. Since Friday, the nation has seen a variety of performances and contests.
At a WWE Supershow in Japan on Friday, Styles reportedly defeated War Raiders' El Grande Americano and Ivar in a triple threat match. Styles won a singles match against Kofi Kingston on Saturday, according to Fightful.
One of the events, which was launched by his friend and co-star CM Punk, ended with Styles receiving an emotional farewell from the fans in attendance.
Following a match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Punk, both of them used microphones to address the audience. Punk talked about how much he loved Japan, how, as a child, he always wanted to go there, and how important it is to professional wrestling.
Punk introduced Styles after enumerating several Japanese WWE stars, suggesting that Styles shares his sentiments on Japan. Additionally, he stated that it is probably Styles's last WWE appearance in the nation.
"I would like to introduce AJ Styles, The Phenomenal, The Face That Runs the Place!" Before Styles' music began, Punk stated as he made his way to the ring.
After hugging Styles, Punk gave him the microphone so he could speak to the audience. Styles stated that it should be him thanking everyone for their support during his wrestling career after they yelled his name.
Without you, I am not sure where I would be. "If it were not for you, I am quite confident I would not be in the WWE," he said to the fans present.
Nakamura read a message that Styles had written in Japanese to the fans, who part-laughed and part-clapped. Styles laid the microphone down in the ring, bowed to the audience, and hugged Nakamura once Nakamura completed reading it.
Ivar, LA Knight, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Penta, and Rhea Ripley were among the other WWE celebrities who joined Styles in the ring to celebrate. Ivar and Punk lifted Styles on their shoulders so he could blow kisses and wave to the audience after everyone had hugged him.
Styles' professional wrestling career included involvement with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), where he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice, in addition to TNA and WWE. During his NJPW days, he was also renowned for being the leader of the Bullet Club.
WWE revealed on X that Styles honoured the custom of donning a mask in the ring during his recent visit to Japan.
Styles stated to Tokyo Sports last month that his trips to Japan will be his final appearances until he retires in 2026. Lucha Libre Online hinted earlier this month that WWE was organising a unique celebration to honour Styles' accomplishments as he bids adieu.
Those might have been some of the first major appearances outside of the United States for WWE's AJ Styles farewell tour, along with his attendance at Crown Jewel in Australia.
Because of John Cena's year-long goodbye tour for his career, there have been rumours about retirement tours. A memorable bout with his opponent, AJ Styles, at the WWE Crown Jewel event in Perth, Australia, was one of his last bouts.
Additionally, there are persistent speculations that Chris Jericho, a former WWE star, may return once his AEW contract expires and embark on a retirement tour the following year. Before they both retire from professional wrestling, it will not be shocking if Jericho and Styles compete in at least one more match.
THE SHIELD FACTOR: WHY SETH ROLLINS BELIEVES SPLITTING THE TEAM SAVED THREE LEGENDARY CAREERS
Is the Shield reuniting? Seth Rollins shuts down fans as Roman Reigns prepares to battle CM Punk at WrestleMania 2026.
Seth Rollins has always been a lightning rod in wrestling, and he still feels the fallout from breaking up The Shield. Back in June 2014, he took everyone by surprise; he just turned on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose with a steel chair, siding with Triple H and The Authority. That moment didn’t just shake up The Shield. It changed wrestling for good.
He talked about it on Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe not long ago, saying that one decision flipped the whole industry on its head. The three of them, Rollins, Reigns, and Ambrose, had found their groove as a team. But splitting up was the push they all needed. If they’d stayed together, no way would they have become the stars they are now. Still, after all these years, Rollins gets grilled by grown adults! asking him why he did it.
“I still get asked about that. Seriously, it’s been 12 years, and people come up to me and say, ‘Why’d you break up The Shield?’ These are adults! They watched it as teens, sure, but come on. You know it’s not real. Does it really hurt that much? Wow,” he said. He just can’t believe a scripted moment from so long ago still hits people so hard.
No one can argue with what The Shield did for wrestling. All three guys are either holding or chasing world titles in WWE and AEW. Right now, Rollins has his own battles. He’s heading toward WrestleMania 42, but he’s coming off emergency surgery for a hernia, and that’s thrown his plans into chaos. Wrestling Observer Radio even reported that his big match against a returning rival might be off the table.
Roman Reigns, on the other hand, is gearing up for a huge showdown with CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. And with Elimination Chamber coming up in Chicago on February 28, 2026, everyone’s watching the top stars. On the February 16 episode of Raw, Je’Von Evans punched his ticket to the Men’s Elimination Chamber by beating GUNTHER and Dominik Mysterio. Now he’s in there with Randy Orton, LA Knight, and Cody Rhodes.
For the women, Asuka, Rhea Ripley, Tiffany Stratton, and Alexa Bliss have already made it in. WWE is feeling the heat about ticket sales for WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium, so they’re leaning hard on the stories and history of their biggest names to pump up excitement for the two-night event in April.
INSIDE LIV MORGAN’S CALCULATED PLAN TO CHOOSE HER WRESTLEMANIA 42 CHAMPIONSHIP OPPONENT
Liv Morgan claims a dream match with AJ Lee would "solve world hunger" as she weighs her WrestleMania 42 title shot options.
Liv Morgan has a wild sense of humour—she actually said that a match between her and AJ Lee would do more than just entertain fans. According to her, it’d solve world hunger. Seriously. In a recent chat with GQ Sports, Liv read a fan comment that said, “Her vs. AJ Lee would feed families,” and she took it even further: “We’d feed more than families. Like, world hunger would not be a thing.” When they asked how she pictured the match ending, Liv didn’t hesitate. “With me winning, obviously. But she’s a feisty one. Still, I’m putting my money on me.”
Fans have been dying to see Liv Morgan vs. AJ Lee ever since AJ returned to WWE last year. There’s a catch, though—rumour has it AJ Lee’s got a different WrestleMania 42 opponent lined up. And Liv? She’ll still be challenging for a Women’s Championship at the big event, but this dream match probably needs a little more time.
Liv’s still weighing her options for WrestleMania 42.
After she won the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, Liv told everyone at the PLE post-show that she’s not in a rush to choose her opponent. “I can pick any champion I want, and I don’t want to make some quick decision I regret. I’m taking my time. I’ll decide when it feels right and when I know who’s right.” She doubled down on that on RAW this week, saying she’s even planning to scope out SmackDown to see if she wants to go after Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship.
But if you’re looking for clues, Liv might’ve already dropped one—she ambushed Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer right after Stephanie defended her title against Raquel Rodriguez on RAW. Looks like Liv’s keeping her cards close, but she’s not shy about making a statement.