AJ Styles Sparks Retirement Rumors With Cryptic Hourglass Post

With AJ Styles vowing to not wrestle beyond the age of 50, a recent post from 'The Phenomenal One' indicates his WWE endgame.

AJ Styles Sparks Retirement Rumors With Cryptic Hourglass Post

AJ Styles (via WWE and AJ Styles' Instagram)

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AJ Styles is widely regarded as one of the greatest in-ring performers of the modern era, often drawing comparisons to Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. With over 25 years in the wrestling business, Styles was the cornerstone of TNA when the promotion launched in 2002, carrying the company on his back for years.

Since making his WWE debut in 2016, ‘The Phenomenal One’ has achieved tremendous success, adding world titles and memorable rivalries to his already legendary career. Still, fans know that the 48-year-old is in the twilight of his journey, with only a couple of years likely left in the ring.

Adding fear to that fact, a new social media post from Styles has fans worried that retirement might be closer than expected. The former WWE Champion shared an image of an hourglass on his account, with the sand inside displaying his signature ‘P1’ logo. Traditionally, an hourglass symbolizes that time is running out, and the cryptic post immediately sparked concern among fans.

The comment section quickly filled with reactions from both fans and wrestlers. Reporter Chris Van Vliet left two sad emojis, while Killer Kross wrote: “Uncle Allen, I will turn that hourglass upside down… don’t you dare leave us.”

But hours later, Styles himself eased some of the panic by replying under the post: “Time is not up yet,” signaling that he still has fuel left in the tank for one more run. According to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, Styles signed a one-year extension with WWE earlier this year. Despite today’s tease, the company hopes to keep him when that deal expires. 

Sources close to Sapp say the contract runs until around February 2026. If he does choose to retire, then it would be right in the middle of the Road to WrestleMania. Before that day comes, however, Styles still has unfinished business. 

He’s determined to capture the Intercontinental Championship, a title that slipped through his fingers at SummerSlam against Dominik Mysterio. In response to that, he appeared at TripleMania 33 and attacked ‘Dirty Dom’. This is why the reigning champion didn’t miss the chance to twist the knife either, mocking Styles by reposting his hourglass picture on his own story with a Kenny McCormick goodbye GIF.

Styles has been open in the past about when he intends to wrap up his in-ring career. Earlier this year, he told Van Vliet on the Insight podcast that he still plans to retire by the age of 50.

That’s correct. I keep saying that. I’ve said this and said this, but I will not wrestle at 50, I promise you that.

AJ Styles via Insight podcast

While Styles loves working for WWE, he admitted that spending time with his family means even more to him. Currently 48, he will turn 50 in June 2027, which means the clock is ticking on his legendary career. At WrestleMania 41, AJ Styles also revealed during a live signing that he is working on opening his own pro wrestling school in Georgia, with hopes to launch it within the next year.

More recently, at SummerSlam, Styles teased fans by suggesting it could be his final appearance at the event. He ultimately lost to Mysterio, though the rivalry is expected to continue on WWE programming.

Nic Nemeth confirms AJ Styles’ revelation of Vince McMahon’s attitude towards him back in 2016

In his early WWE run, AJ Styles quickly rose to the top, capturing the WWE Championship and holding it for a record 371 days. He was positioned as the centerpiece of SmackDown, with the show often built and advertised around him. Still, despite his star status, Styles had to fight an uphill battle to prove his worth to Vince McMahon and convince him of his veteran status.

AJ Styles and Vince McMahon
AJ Styles and Vince McMahon (via WWE)

Part of the challenge came from McMahon’s old-school mentality, rooted in the 1980s, where he preferred big, towering wrestlers. While Styles was well-built, he wasn’t 6’5”. Adding to that, the former WWE Chairman reportedly disliked Styles’ southern accent, believing it made him sound less serious, almost like a comedy act in the mold of Heath Slater.

This story was revealed by AJ Styles as well, but was more recently confirmed by Nic Nemeth (formerly Dolph Ziggler), who disclosed it on the Busted Open podcast. Nemeth, who had his own struggles convincing management during his World Title run in 2013, shed light on the obstacles Styles had to overcome behind the scenes.

I heard that, I’m like, ‘Oh, come on. What, he can’t really still think that way?’ And I kind of secondhand and first heard of, like, he was fighting an uphill battle, even already coming here with all his accolades, with everything he’s done, with everything everybody knows he’s capable of. Even then, he was fighting an uphill battle with the boss. And whatever he did in his body of work while he was here, which, by the way, is Fucking fantastic, he won over the boss.

Nic Nemeth via Busted Open Radio podcast

This mentality must have been frustrating, especially since Styles was the cornerstone of TNA’s rise and had already built a global reputation in New Japan Pro Wrestling as the leader of Bullet Club. It took some time, but McMahon eventually got behind Styles. 

AJ Styles was even booked to pin John Cena clean at both Money in the Bank and SummerSlam in 2016 to cement his status. His record-breaking WWE Title reign that followed served as both validation and a major sigh of relief for ‘The Phenomenal One.’

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