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AJ Styles Gets Emotional Tokyo Sendoff as He Eyes 2026 Retirement

The farewell underscored Japan’s outsized place in his journey from NJPW standout to WWE headliner.

Overview

  • Styles reaffirmed he plans to retire in 2026, a timeline he previously shared in an interview with Tokyo Sports.
  • At WWE’s Oct. 18 Supershow in Tokyo, CM Punk and Ivar lifted Styles on their shoulders after he addressed fans, with Shinsuke Nakamura reading his message in Japanese.
  • Styles defeated Kofi Kingston on the Tokyo card after winning a triple threat the prior night, capping what reports say could be his final in-ring appearances in Japan.
  • Nakamura posted that seeing Styles and John Cena prepare to leave the ring reminds him his own time may be approaching, though he said he still has goals to pursue.
  • Coverage notes WWE is expected to plan a fuller 2026 send-off for Styles, and Cena’s ongoing retirement tour is set to culminate with a Dec. 13 match.