AJ Styles teared up after hearing an emotional message from his wife after his WWE retirement.
On his first interview after retiring from WWE at the 2026 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles appeared on Stephanie McMahon’s What’s Your Story podcast. During the conversation, there was an emotional moment when McMahon read a message from Styles’ wife, Wendy, which moved the Phenomenal One to tears.
She talked about the sacrifices AJ Styles made for his family early in his career, including refusing an offer to join WWE.
“To my loving husband, whom I call Allen, and the world calls the Phenomenal AJ Styles. Growing up, who knew I would marry a wrestler? Sure, I would watch wrestling with my grandmother, but I never had a desire to marry one. Well, we paid for our small wedding with money made by your short stint in the WCW. When you started chasing this dream, you always told me to trust you that you would make it. Never once did you doubt yourself.
“As your bride, I trusted you and even encouraged you to go when the WWE came knocking very early in your career. I believe that required you to move to Cincinnati. I was in college at the time. As a young married couple, you refused. You chose me. Even when I was pushing you to go, you politely declined the offer.”
AJ Styles’ wife believes he has achieved things that many only dream of accomplishing
“You always said we would do this together and not apart. Together we have. You have travelled the world wrestling and conquered what many only dream of accomplishing. You have put God and your family first in this business. I truly believe God opened every door and allowed not just you but our family to walk through them. For that, I am eternally grateful.
“You wanted to beat the house. Well, you did. A phenomenal career, four amazing and individually gifted kids, and a loving, always supportive wife, who has stood beside you the entire time. You won! Come home. The phenomenal times are just beginning. I love you, babe,” AJ Styles’ wife wrote.
Styles had a tearful reaction to his wife’s message
AJ Styles teared up after hearing his wife’s message. He then reacted by saying he wouldn’t have anything without her support.
“Well, she’s my biggest fan. She totally supported me, even going to indie shows, and I bet those sucked. I am nothing without her. I would have nothing without her. Everything I’ve done and the decisions I’ve made are based on us, and because of those decisions, I think I was blessed,” AJ Styles said.
“If I hadn’t turned down WWE at the time, I believe HWA is what was in Cincinnati, that was a developmental area, and within like six months it went out. WWE stopped using them. And I would’ve went out with them,” AJ Styles continued. “So because I put her first, I didn’t have to go through that. Even though I didn’t get to WWE until years later, I still got here.
Styles believes he got to WWE at the right time
“I was at TNA for 11 years. Went to Japan for a couple of years and then came here. But all that was for a reason. I don’t think it was by mistake at all. I think everything happens for a reason, and the timing was perfect for when I came,” AJ Styles continued, “I wouldn’t have made it any other time. I don’t think I would’ve survived. I don’t think I would have been well when it comes to being ribbed backstage. You got a dumb redneck kid that will fight you, and then I’ll get fired.
“But we didn’t have to go through that when I got here. Actually, I was pretty respected by the time I got to the WWE. So, I’m thankful for everything that we went through together. There’s been ups and downs, hard times, lonely times. So for us to still be together after all these years and everything that we’ve been through, I think that says a lot about each other,” AJ Styles said.
During the interview, Styles also commented on leaving his gloves on, teasing that he might return to the ring in the future.
Read More: Tony Khan Reacted to AJ Styles’ Retirement Amid AEW Speculation
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