AJ Styles turned heads on the SummerSlam 2025 kickoff show when he dropped a candid and emotional message about his future. At 48, the Phenomenal One hinted this might be his last SummerSlam ever.
He didn’t sugarcoat it. “If I’m being honest with you guys, this might be my last SummerSlam. So, I plan on tearing the house down one last time at SummerSlam for you guys,” he said to the crowd. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic: mere hours before his match against Dominik Mysterio, Styles openly questioned whether he’d ever return to this stage.
There’s an undeniable gravitas in his tone. Styles has dealt with a serious mid‑foot injury since last October. The Lisfranc injury sidelined him for months, causing fans and analysts to speculate about his longevity in WWE. Though he’s officially healthy, he hasn’t wrestled since mid‑June. One report suggests he quietly signed a one‑year extension around July, but the exact terms remain unclear.
A Career on the Brink
Styles isn’t saying he’s done with WWE altogether. But stepping back from SummerSlam signals a shift. He’s given fans plenty of incredible moments TNA crowns, NJPW ascents, and unforgettable WWE title runs. If this is indeed his last high‑profile SummerSlam outing, it's a heavy reminder that even legends have their final curtain.
Some insiders think WWE could build toward a farewell storyline or final feud before Styles turns 50 (due June 2027), and he's previously expressed he’d like to retire in WWE. The lack of clarity makes this moment feel real: a legendary athlete closing in on the last chapters of an illustrious career.
There’s also intrigue around his contract timing. If his extension ends very soon, the storyline implications could be massive. A departing icon facing off against a generational talent like Dominik Mysterio would be compelling either way.