AJ Styles' rival promises to end his career: "There's no better way to say thank you"

AJ Styles
AJ Styles' career could end sooner than expected if this WWE Superstar has anything to say about it (Credit:WWE.com)

AJ Styles and Dragon Lee have a huge title bout set for next week. The Men's World Tag Team Champions have been a bright spot on Monday Night RAW, but we're on the Phenomenal One's retirement tour. And now, a long-time acquaintance has promised to end the tour short...next Monday.

Ad

Xavier Woods and Styles didn't first cross paths in WWE. Both men were stars in TNA Wrestling during what's considered by many to be the promotion's peak. In a post on X, Woods spoke about his relationship with Styles and how the once-dubbed "Mr. TNA" basically kickstarted his career.

Ad
"AJ Styles is integral to my major league professional wrestling story," said Woods. "Because AJ Styles believed in me, because he saw something in me, I had the chance to have a match at Bound for Glory in 2007 when I was a senior in college, which then led to me getting a TNA contract, which then led to me earning a WWE contract, which then led to me becoming part of the most decorated tag team in the history of WWE." [0:25-55]
Ad

10 Shocking Injuries That Destroyed WWE Stars - Watch Here!

Woods followed up, claiming that he takes great pride in being the one to retire Styles. While Styles isn't set to hang up the boots just yet, Woods plans on putting an early end to the retirement tour when New Day challenge AJ & Lee for the World Tag Titles on Monday Night RAW next week.

"AJ Styles is going to realize that he is no longer on his retirement tour. He's going to realize that this was his last match. And I feel so good about that. The fact that I have the honor to take AJ out, to gaze at the lake while I hit him with the Of Mice and Men, and send him home on a stretcher. I don't think there's a better way to say...thank you, AJ Styles." [1:17-1:44]
Ad

AJ Styles confirms he's close to the end of his in-ring career

Before his match against John Cena at Crown Jewel: Perth, AJ Styles confirmed that he'd be retiring in 2026. In an interview with Justin Barraso, Styles stated that the goal is to retire on his own terms, which is why he's publicly confirmed his retirement tour.

youtube-cover
Ad

Since then, the Phenomenal One hasn't taken a single match for granted, and even had a chance to say goodbye to his Japanese fans during their tour earlier this year. Along with Cena and Styles, another star who made their name in the business around the same time, Hiroshi Tanahashi, is wrapping up his career in NJPW. Three legends calling their careers around the same time? It's enough to make even the most jaded fan shed a tear.

Styles hasn't revealed a specific date at this point. For now, all we can do is enjoy every Phenomenal performance.

Does Triple H dislike Austin Theory? What we know so far

Quick Links

Edited by Greg Bush
sk promotional banner
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications