AJ Styles just turned a farewell into a statement. On John Cena’s final weekend, the Phenomenal One stepped into the spotlight, won big, and reminded the world he is the bridge between eras. He did it with gold on his shoulder, a legend at his side, and a clear clock on his career. The message was simple. He is not coasting to the end. He is steering it.
A win that felt like a passing of the torch
Saturday night in Washington, D.C., belonged to legacy and the future. Styles and Dragon Lee, the WWE World Tag Team Champions, took a high profile tag bout and made it sing. They stood across from Leon Slater and Je’Von Evans, two names built to be tomorrow, and pulled them into a match that moved. There was a brief slip on an attempted Phenomenal Forearm. Then Styles reset, caught his rhythm, and finished it with a clean Styles Clash. The building knew what it had seen. A veteran who can still deliver, and deliver under pressure.
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That is the version of AJ that shines in these moments. He respects the room, elevates his partners, and still snatches the finish when it counts. With Cena’s goodbye as the backdrop, Styles quietly wrote his own chapter.
The bridge stands tall
Styles did not stop with the match. He stepped onto a live stage with The Undertaker for a special Six Feet Under show and turned nostalgia into something living. The two revisited their Boneyard classic, but the tone was not eulogy. It was gratitude and resolve. You could feel years of history folding into one clear point. Styles connects generations because he has lived in both. He can talk shop with icons. He can set a pace with prospects. He can do both in one weekend and make it feel seamless.
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He and Dragon Lee have held the tag titles since October 20, and that reign matters. It gives Styles a weekly platform, an anchor for big weekends, and a partner who sprints while he steers. It is the right pairing for a swan song year that still needs stakes.
AJ Styles has confirmed he plans to retire in 2026. He has also hinted that coaching and mentoring are next.
What comes after the curtain call
Here is the timeline that matters. Styles expects his in ring run to end in 2026, with his deal running into early February. That puts every appearance under a bright light. It turns every match, every interview, and every stare down into a potential last dance. The smart read, and the one I am hearing from people who know, is that he transitions into a mentor role. He has always been a locker room compass. Turning that into a job title makes sense.
There is also the one thing fans still ask about. Could he show up once more for TNA as they launch on AMC in January? TNA wants it. The symbolism would be massive. Styles is a pillar of that history. WWE restrictions make the move unlikely, and that has not changed. The door is not locked by emotion. It is locked by policy.
A final outside appearance would be a full circle moment. Do not bet on it under current rules.
Fans, feelings, and why this matters now
Cena’s goodbye pulled everyone together. Styles made them sit up. He represents the rare middle space. He is still a champion, still crisp between the ropes, and still trusted to close. At the same time, he is preparing to hand the keys to the next class. That is why a match with prospects and a talk with The Undertaker fit in the same weekend. He is both the now and the memory. That dual role hits fans in the heart. It feels like watching a favorite teacher take a final lap, then hold the door open for the kids.
What to watch next
- Title defenses that showcase Dragon Lee and test Styles before 2026
- A possible WrestleMania scale moment to cap his run
- More sit down spots that frame his legacy with major names
- Hints of a formal coaching role as his schedule shrinks
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did AJ Styles and Dragon Lee win during John Cena’s final weekend?
A: Yes. They won a high profile tag match, and Styles sealed it with a Styles Clash.
Q: Is AJ Styles really retiring in 2026?
A: Yes. He has said 2026 will be his last year as an active wrestler.
Q: Will Styles appear for TNA one last time?
A: TNA is interested, but WWE restrictions make an outside in ring return very unlikely right now.
Q: What is next for Styles after he retires?
A: Expect a move into mentoring or coaching. He has pointed to that path and is well suited for it.
Q: Why is his run as tag champion important?
A: It keeps him central on TV, pairs him with a dynamic partner, and frames his final year with real stakes.
AJ Styles is not fading out. He is curating the exit. He is lifting the next generation, honoring the past, and sharpening the present. If this is the last full year of AJ Styles, it is not a goodbye tour. It is a masterclass in how to leave on top, with purpose, and with the whole arena watching. 👏
