Add as a preferred source on Google AJ Styles made it clear that his ties to WWE don’t mean he has any intention of fueling the rivalry between fans of the Stamford-based company and AEW.
During a recent episode of The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer was asked about the possibility of Kenny Omega leaving AEW to sign with WWE. Styles said he doesn’t see a reason for that to happen, pointing out that Omega helped build the company and invested a big part of his career into the project.
The conversation also led Styles to once again respond to criticism that he’s an unconditional defender of WWE and TKO. The former wrestler had already been hit with that label back in May, after voicing his support for the company’s increased number of live events.
Styles said the following:
“I’ve said this before. It’s not me protecting WWE. It’s me protecting the people that work for WWE. My peers and the guys that I care about, the women that I care about that are there. So I will defend them because I know they’re busting their tail to put on a great show.
And I’m not gonna bash AEW because those guys are doing the exact same thing. Whatever they’re doing to try to be different and doing all these things. I get it. I’ve been there. So I’m not gonna do that. That’s not what I’m about.
To each their own. If you like one and don’t like the other, good. But no reason to just bash because they’re different shows. I’m not gonna do that.”
Styles ended his in-ring career on January 31, following a loss to Gunther at the Royal Rumble. His official send-off took place on the February 23 episode of Raw, when The Undertaker announced his induction into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame class.
Even in retirement, The Phenomenal One remains under contract with WWE. His new role involves scouting talent from the independent scene, assisting names from NXT and the main roster, and working on wrestlers’ development and confidence.