Report: AJ Styles ‘well aware’ AEW was willing to make substantial offer
AJ Styles was reportedly “well aware” that AEW was willing to make him a big offer if he chose to go in that direction.
With the announcement that he’ll be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this April, it doesn’t sound like Styles is planning to go anywhere else for at least the foreseeable future. But Justin Barrasso of Undisputed reports that, after speaking with people close to Styles, he was aware that AEW would have made him a “substantial offer” with a favorable schedule if he decided to wrestle outside of WWE.
“For as much as WWE claims to be blissfully unaware of what is happening in AEW, that isn’t the case,” Barrasso wrote. “With Styles getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, it severely limits any potential AEW owner Tony Khan had of bringing Styles in for a surprise appearance at the Revolution pay-per-view in March. For AEW, their post-WrestleMania show is Double or Nothing in May–and even that feels too soon for Styles to appear.
“That isn’t to imply Styles was looking to wrestle again. He meant what he said about spending time at home with family. But speaking to a few people close to him, Styles was well aware that AEW was willing to make a substantial offer. And it was likely going to be one that wouldn’t cost him much time away from home.”
Styles retired from the ring with a loss to Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026. In his hometown of Atlanta on Raw this Monday, WWE held a tribute for Styles that included appearances by names from his past including Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Frankie Kazarian, and Abyss. The segment ended with The Undertaker revealing that Styles will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend.
Despite this HOF announcement, speculation over Styles’ future will likely continue until he goes elsewhere or signs a new WWE contract for his post-wrestling career. Paul “Triple H” Levesque has said he would like Styles to continue with WWE in some type of behind-the-scenes role.
Styles has not completely closed the door on returning to the ring if the right circumstances emerge, saying on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast that he believes every wrestler reserves the right to come out of retirement at least once. A scenario that could interest Styles is teaming with one of his children if they end up choosing pro wrestling as a career.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.