"Time's running out really quick" - 7-time WWE champion on eventual in-ring retirement
WWE's current landscape is filled with veterans who are helping out rookies across both brands on the main roster. Recently, multi-time United States Champion and former two-time WWE Champion, AJ Styles, addressed his eventual in-ring retirement.
Styles' retirement became the talk of the town after The Phenomenal One pulled on a suit and addressed the fans on an episode of Friday Night SmackDown, seemingly to announce his retirement. However, it was all a ruse, as he lured Cody Rhodes out before attacking him during the segment to ultimately get his much-desired title shot at Clash at the Castle: Scotland, earlier this month.
In an interview with WrestleManiac UK, AJ Styles was asked about his eventual in-ring retirement from wrestling. The seven-time WWE champion had no particular window in mind but knew that he didn't have too much time left as his mind and body seemed to be arguing over how long he could continue.
"You know, my brain's going, 'We don't have a lot of time', my body's going, 'We can go! No, we can't!' It's an argument between my body and my brain on how much longer we can go. I can tell you it won't go much longer, time's running out really quick," Styles said. [From 1:00 to 1:22]
You can check out his comments in the video below:
AJ Styles was seemingly written off TV after WWE Clash at the Castle: Scotland
Last year, AJ Styles returned to Friday Night SmackDown after several months of hiatus and immediately went after The Bloodline, who was responsible for his absence. Later, after failing to take revenge, he shifted his attention towards LA Knight.
After losing to The Megastar in Philadelphia at The Show of Shows, he finally scored a victory over Knight and became the number-one contender for the top prize on Friday Night SmackDown against Cody Rhodes.
The Phenomenal One failed again and set a coup against the Undisputed WWE Champion. After fooling everyone with a retirement segment, The American Nightmare granted him a rematch in an "I Quit" Match.
The champion prevailed in the premium live event in Scotland and took out the veteran with steel steps after the match. AJ Styles has made no television appearances for the brand since then, and he was recently announced to compete at NOAH in July 2024.
If you use quotes from this article, please credit WrestleManiac UK and provide an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.