• Top WWE Star’s Contract Expiring After Royal Rumble 2026, Teases Retirement
AJ Styles made his debut in WWE during the 2016 Men’s Royal Rumble match for the WWE Championship. He has won the WWE, Intercontinental, United States and Tag Team titles since then.
The Phenomenal One quickly rose to the top after joining the biggest promotion in the world as he was already a big name in the pro wrestling industry before his arrival in WWE.
According to Fightful Select, AJ Styles’ contract with WWE is set to expire around February 2026, which would be just after Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia and before WrestleMania 42.
The former WWE Champion has talked about retirement on multiple occasions in the past, but hasn’t mentioned it much lately.
He took to Instagram on Friday to share a photo of an hourglass, seemingly hinting that his pro wrestling career might be coming to an end. It is possible that Styles hangs up his boots next year, perhaps after a final match at WrestleMania.
• WWE Reportedly Planning More Returns Following AJ Lee’s Comeback
AJ Lee returned to WWE after more than a decade in the main event of SmackDown in Chicago last night. It has been one of the biggest returns in pro wrestling history as it was considered almost impossible a few years ago.
According to Cory Hays of Bodyslam, more stars are set to return to WWE in the future:
“Multiple returns to WWE TV are on the horizon.”
There are multiple big names who have been off TV for a while, including WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, Gunther, Liv Morgan, Ilja Dragunov and WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.
It is unknown if the returns would include former WWE stars yet.
• Why WWE Isn’t Doing John Cena’s Retirement Match In Boston
John Cena made his final SmackDown appearance in Chicago last night. There are only seven dates left on his retirement tour.
It was rumored for months that the 17-time World Champion’s retirement match would take place in Boston, Massachusetts, since his father said that in an interview. However, his final appearance is scheduled on December 13th, which will be a Saturday Night’s Main Event show in Washington D.C.
WWE announced on Friday that Cena will appear in Boston on RAW on November 10th.
The Wrestling Observer reports that WWE wanted more money than Boston was offering, which is why Washington D.C. will get to host Cena’s final match. The company wanted money similar to what they got from New Jersey for SummerSlam, which would have been for multiple shows the weekend of 12/12 to 12/15. Boston didn’t bid high enough, which is why the company moved the event to Washington, D.C.
John Cena’s next appearance is scheduled for RAW in Springfield on September 15th, which will be the go-home episode of the red brand for Wrestlepalooza.
• WWE To Aggressively Counterprogram AEW Following All Out Time Change
WWE and AEW have been at a war since the days NXT and Dynamite started going head-to-head in 2019. The former has been the more successful promotion since Triple H replaced Vince McMahon and got creative control.
WWE has counterprogrammed many AEW shows in the past couple of years, and their Premium Live Events taking place on Saturdays have had a huge effect on the ratings of AEW Collision. Tony Khan is forced to change the timing of the show when it clashes with the PLEs.
According to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, sources in WWE have said that the company plans to keep going after AEW. It is possible that a day will come when WWE counterprograms, AEW moves a show, and then WWE moves their show.
People in WWE believe that Tony Khan will move his shows if they counterprogram, so they want to screw with him.
WWE’s latest move in this war was announcing Wrestlepalooza to take place on September 20th, the same day as AEW All Out. Wrestlepalooza will be a huge show as it will mark the beginning of WWE’s partnership with ESPN. This caused Tony Khan to change the start time of All Out, so the two shows don’t go head-to-head.
• AJ Lee’s Next Appearance Date Revealed
AJ Lee returned to WWE after more than a decade on last night’s episode of SmackDown. She attacked Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch after The Man disrespected her husband CM Punk throughout the week.
According to PWInsider, the former Divas Champion is set to make her next appearance in Milwaukee next Monday night on RAW. She will reportedly be there to set up her and CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch at Wrestlepalooza in two weeks.
Fans can expect to see AJ Lee very frequently because she has signed a long-term and full-time contract with WWE.
