AJ Styles might be done with his WWE in-ring career, but don’t expect him to pop up in AEW without some serious pushback—especially from Ricochet.
During an interview with The Adrian Hernandez Show on February 5, 2026, AEW National Champion Ricochet didn’t hold back when asked about Styles potentially joining All Elite Wrestling. Ricochet made it clear he doesn’t see it happening and questioned whether Styles could even keep up anymore, throwing shade at both his age and his athletic ability.
“I don’t think he’s got the guts. I know he’s the Phenomenal AJ Styles, but the bar’s been raised over here.”
Then he went straight for the jugular, referencing AEW’s talent pool and implying Styles wouldn’t survive in that environment, naming the likes of himself, Okada, Ciampa and more.
“Wherever he goes, he’s getting old. The dropkick isn’t as high as it used to be. He wants to come here and compete with Ricochet, The Demand, Tommaso Ciampa, and Kazuchika Okada? Come on, AJ. Come on, AJ—it’s a different ball game. This is where the best wrestle.”
Ricochet closed the door on the idea with one final statement that made his stance impossible to misinterpret, as he feels Styles will never try to join AEW.
“I mean, everyone’s welcome for sure, but he’s not going to do it. There’s no way. He’s going to stay as far away from here as possible.”
Backstage reports from Fightful Select revealed that while no formal offer had been made to Styles as of February 3, those in AEW expected the company would jump at the opportunity if he was available.
“As of February 3, we have not been told that an offer is made, but it was universally expected among AEW sources that if AEW is able to, they would bring in Styles.”
Despite the swirling rumors, one source close to Styles told Fightful they knew Royal Rumble 2026 would be his final match—but had no clue what comes next. They noted that Styles is the type to follow his own path, no matter what money’s on the table: “AJ will do what he wants to do regardless of money, and he’s in a position to do so.”
For now, AJ Styles remains retired from in-ring competition—but Ricochet’s comments may have just opened the door for a different kind of fight.
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