AJ Styles' potential WWE retirement at the Royal Rumble might just be the beginning of a new chapter for 'The Phenomenal One' within the company, but behind the scenes!
It was an emotional night at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, where AJ Styles faced off against GUNTHER in what many believed to be his final in-ring performance. But could this be the end of an era, or the start of a new one? Triple H, a key figure in WWE's creative and talent relations, shed some light on the situation.
When directly asked about any discussions regarding AJ Styles continuing with WWE in a non-wrestling capacity, Triple H's response was quite telling. He revealed, "We’ve had a lot of conversations, especially once this all came down." He further explained that while the timing of the retirement talk was sooner than anticipated, the conversations were indeed happening. "AJ is absolutely one of those people who wants to give back and be a part of this business," Triple H added.
While Triple H emphasized that he couldn't speak for AJ Styles definitively, he made it clear that Styles' current intention is to hang up his boots. "In the conversation he had with me, he made it very clear that he was just done with the in-ring part," Triple H stated. He elaborated on the natural progression of a wrestler's career, noting, "There’s a point in your career where you reach a place and you say, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore. It’s time.'"
But here's where it gets interesting: WWE isn't ready to let go of Styles' immense talent and knowledge. Triple H hinted at a future for Styles that mirrors the successful post-wrestling careers of other WWE legends, like Shawn Michaels. He envisioned Styles stepping into roles such as a mentor, a coach, or even contributing to production. "I’m hoping he will contribute, because he’s one of the greatest minds in the business," Triple H remarked. He specifically pointed to Shawn Michaels' impactful work in NXT as a potential blueprint for Styles' next career phase: "When you see what Shawn Michaels is doing in NXT, I think that’s a path and a career for AJ Styles beyond this period he’s in."
This discussion follows Styles' intense retirement match against GUNTHER, a bout that saw Styles pass out to a sleeper hold, leading to the referee's stoppage. The crowd in Riyadh showed their appreciation with resounding "Thank you AJ" chants, and for a moment, it seemed like he might leave his wrestling boots behind, though he ultimately kept them on.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the emotional farewell, speculation about AJ Styles' future hasn't waned. He recently filed trademarks for his ring name and logo, sparking rumors of potential ventures outside of WWE or even internationally. However, if Triple H's vision comes to fruition, The Phenomenal One's next chapter might still unfold within the familiar confines of WWE, just from a different perspective – perhaps guiding the next generation of Superstars.
Now, over to you! Would you be thrilled to see AJ Styles transition into a coaching or creative role within WWE? Or do you believe he'd be better suited exploring opportunities in other wrestling promotions? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
