ARTICLE AD
AJ Styles has been considered one of the best pro wrestlers by fans and his peers. The Phenomenal One always competes at a very high level and despite his age, Styles has barely slowed down. However, he has now admitted that he is nearing the end of his in-ring career.
The Phenomenal One has accomplished a lot in his WWE career over the last eight years and it is a guarantee that he will be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame once he hangs up his boots.
AJ Styles has been wrestling for 26 years in a career that has seen him compete in WCW, TNA, NJPW and WWE. The Phenomenal One has won 47 titles.
Styles expressed his anticipation for the next chapter of his wrestling career during an interview on The Ringer Wrestling Show. He acknowledged nearing the end of his time in WWE and expressed a desire to have a compelling storyline and match before departing from the company.
“I’m anxious to see what story comes next. I’m getting close. I’m getting close to the end. I want to have that story and match to go with it before I leave the WWE. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”
Styles clarified that he was referring to his time in the ring coming to an end, not just his time with WWE. He expressed concerns about potentially embarrassing himself due to the toll wrestling takes on his body.
“I’m done. I’m going to retire. I’m getting to that point where I am worried about embarrassing myself. My brain says, ‘We can do this.’ My body is like, ‘You’re stupid. We cannot do this. We’re hurting every day when we roll out of bed. At some point, this has to come to an end.’ I’ve realized, like so many others that come before me, the greats, they get out of it when we think there is still time for them. It’s because we don’t want to embarrass ourselves. We’re just trying to get out while we still can where we can still get around and just have fun away from wrestling.“
Styles emphasized the importance of exiting the ring before he reaches a point of decline, wanting fans to remember him at his best rather than seeing a diminished version of himself. He acknowledged his love for wrestling but recognized the need to prioritize his health and well-being.
“I love it, this is what I do and what I know. I’ve spent more than half my life doing this, but at some point, you have to let go because it’s fun, but I don’t want to disappoint you. When you see AJ Styles, I want you to go, ‘That’s my guy, that’s the guy I know,’ rather than go, ‘He just isn’t the same guy and can’t do what he used to.’ I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want to let you down. My time is coming. It’s getting short. I am going to enjoy it, I promise you that.”
AJ Styles also wants to win the WWE Championship one more time before retirement. It remains to be seen when The Phenomenal One will bring an end to his in-ring career.
Who do you think should be AJ Styles’ final opponent should be? Let us know in the comments section below!