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 BACKSTAGE FAREWELL: WHY WWE STARS ARE SAYING GOODBYE TO LEGEND ASUKA
IYO SKY and Charlotte Flair lead tributes to Asuka as reports surface that the Empress of Tomorrow is stepping back from WWE.
Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer reported that Asuka was saying her goodbyes backstage, and right now, people are calling her "semi-retired". What that actually means is still up in the air. Nobody really knows if Asuka plans to stick around WWE for occasional special matches or if she’ll head back to Japan and keep wrestling there.
“The story I heard is that she is semi-retired,” Meltzer explained, according to WrestlePurists. “I haven’t really gotten an exact definition of 'semi-retired', but I guess people were wishing her farewell backstage.”
He also said, “I don’t know if she’s wrestling in Japan; I don’t know if she’ll do things here and there, but semi-retired is what I was told.”
Asuka’s journey with WWE started in 2015, kicking off in NXT. She wasn’t just another face; she became the longest-reigning NXT Women’s Champion ever, holding that title for 510 days, and went on an unreal 914-day winning streak. Over the years, she racked up five WWE Women’s World Championships and five WWE Women’s Tag Team titles and picked up big accolades like Money in the Bank and the Royal Rumble.
WWE even ranked her as the fifth greatest female Superstar of all time, just behind Trish Stratus, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Chyna, according to Fightful.
After WWE Backlash, IYO SKY posted an emotional message to Asuka on X (formerly Twitter) after defeating her at the event. She wrote about how much it meant to share the ring and learn from Asuka, calling it an “irreplaceable treasure", and thanked Asuka for everything. That post, along with the photos she shared, only fuelled more talk about Asuka’s possible retirement.
SKY, who’s become one of the most popular and respected wrestlers on the WWE roster over the last couple of years, isn’t alone in showing love for Asuka. After the backlash, stars like Bayley, Natalya, and Charlotte Flair also thanked Asuka for everything she’s done for the business. At 44, Asuka’s impact is impossible to ignore.
BEYOND GUNTHER: ANALYZING THE FOUR POWERHOUSES DESTINED TO LEAD WWE RAW NEXT YEAR
Discover the four WWE superstars, including Bron Breakker and Jacob Fatu, ready to lead Monday Night Raw into a post-Gunther era.
For the last few years, WWE Raw has pretty much belonged to Gunther. He dominated by sticking to his guns, hard work, no-nonsense wrestling, and that old-school fire. When his music hits, you can feel the tone shift. It’s hard to find that kind of presence. You don’t just swap him out and expect things to stay the same.
But that’s the thing about Raw. It never just sits still. The show keeps turning over stories' twists, rosters shuffle, and sooner or later, new faces get their shot. If there ever comes a time to find someone new to lead the red brand, there are four guys who look ready to take over. Each brings something different to the table, and you’d feel it right away.
Jacob Fatu could steal the spotlight.
Jacob Fatu’s the first name that jumps out. When he hits the ring, you notice. He just has that look, as he belongs in the big moments. The guy’s got a rare mix of speed and brute power; other heavyweights struggle to keep up.
Lately, he’s been right in the thick of things, getting involved with some of the top storylines on Raw and even rubbing shoulders with Roman Reigns. That’s not by accident; management doesn’t give you those spots unless they see something real. It means they’re thinking long-term with Fatu.
What makes him stand out is the energy. He’s this controlled, dangerous wrecking ball, but he knows when to push and when to hold back. If Raw needs a new anchor, someone to build around in title matches and feuds, Fatu slides into that role and makes it feel natural.
He’s not a finished product yet, and that’s a good thing. There’s room for him to grow, tell deeper stories, and really connect with the crowd. He’s got that spark fans latch onto because he never looks fake or forced.
Oba Femi brings something new.
Then there’s Oba Femi. For a new guy, he commands respect. From the jump, he’s looked like a real contender, strong in the ring, confident on the mic, and totally believable even against the veterans.
What sets Femi apart is his calm. A lot of new stars go for flash, but he’s got real presence. He can stand toe-to-toe with anyone in the locker room, which is huge if you’re thinking about someone fresh at the top.
Give him a real push and let him be his own kind of dominant. Don’t make him copy Gunther; let him be the force that shakes things up. If WWE puts energy into him, fans will feel it. They tend to back new stars who earn it.
Bron Breakker is the natural choice.
Number one, though? That’s Bron Breakker. He just checks all the boxes: famous family, athletic as hell, and already tested in big matches. If you want someone ready right now, it’s him.
He’s shown he can handle main event pressure. He hits hard, he moves quickly, and he’s comfortable being the centre of attention. When he’s on TV, the pace just picks up. People pay attention.
And people already know him. They’ve seen him grind through NXT and now main roster battles. That history helps. If he ends up carrying Raw after Gunther, it’ll feel right.
Replacing someone like Gunther won’t be easy. People will compare. Expectations will be sky-high. But Breakker has the charisma, the intensity, and the experience to pull it off.
In the end, Raw works best when it changes without losing its soul. Whether it’s Fatu’s wild energy, Femi’s fresh vibe, or Breakker’s complete package, these guys are ready for the spotlight.
When the time comes to pass the torch, Raw won’t shrink. It’ll just reinvent itself once again with these names leading the charge.
