While retirement is always in the cards as WWE stars age or get injured, the legendary AJ Styles surprised many fans when he announced that next year is his final one. Due to that, fans are celebrating each appearance at various WWE shows as if it could be the last time to see Styles in their area.
That includes the recent live events held in Japan, where Styles was amongst featured stars along with Dominik Mysterio, Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer, CM Punk, and many others. Several different shows and matches have occurred in the country since Friday.
On Friday, Styles reportedly defeated El Grande Americano and Ivar from War Raiders in a triple threat match at a WWE Supershow in Japan. On Saturday, Fightful reported that Styles defeated Kofi Kingston in a singles match.
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At the end of one of the events, Styles received an emotional farewell from the fans attending the event, which his friend and co-star CM Punk kick-started.
After a match that involved Punk and Shinsuke Nakamura, each of them spoke to the crowd on the microphone. Punk expressed his love of Japan, how he always wanted to visit the country as a kid, and its significance in professional wrestling.
After listing several Japanese stars within WWE, Punk introduced Styles, indicating he has similar feelings to those he has about Japan. He also said it is likely Styles’ final appearance in the country with WWE.
“I would like to bring out The Face That Runs the Place, The Phenomenal, AJ Styles!” Punk said, before Styles’ music hit, and he walked to the ring.
Punk hugged Styles, then handed him the mic for Styles to address the crowd. After they chanted his name, Styles said it should be him thanking all of them for what they’ve done for him throughout his wrestling career.
“I don’t know where I’d be without you. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be in the WWE if it wasn’t for you,” he told the fans in attendance.
Styles gave a message he wrote in Japanese to Nakamura, and he read it to the fans, who laughed and applauded parts of it. After Namakura finished reading it, Styles bowed to the fans and put the mic down in the ring before hugging Nakamura.
Other WWE stars came to the ring to celebrate Styles, including Ivar, LA Knight, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Penta, and Rhea Ripley. Once everyone hugged it out with Styles, Ivar and Punk hoisted him up on their shoulders so he could wave to the crowd and blow kisses.
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In addition to TNA and WWE, Styles’ professional wrestling career included him working with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), where he captured the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice. He also famously led the Bullet Club during his NJPW days.
On X, WWE shared that Styles’ recent appearance in Japan also included him honoring the tradition of wearing a mask to the ring.
Last month, Styles told Tokyo Sports that he planned to retire in 2026 and that these visits to Japan would be his last appearances there. Earlier this month, Lucha Libre Online suggested WWE is planning something special to celebrate Styles’ career as he says goodbye.
Along with his appearance in Australia for Crown Jewel, those may have been some of the first significant stops outside of the United States for WWE’s AJ Styles farewell tour.
Rumors of retirement tours have been circulating, sparked by John Cena’s farewell tour for his career throughout the year. One of his final matches was a memorable battle with his rival, AJ Styles, at the WWE Crown Jewel event in Perth, Australia.
There are also ongoing rumors that former WWE star, Chris Jericho, could make his return after his AEW contract ends, and also have a retirement tour next year. It won’t be surprising if Jericho and Styles have at least one more match in the ring before they both end their professional wrestling careers.
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