AJ Styles Reveals Why His Dream Match Never Happened

Despite competing all around the world for several premier wrestling promotions, WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles never got his dream match.

Throughout his illustrious career, Styles became World Champion in TNA, NWJP, and WWE. During that span, he’s fought some of the biggest icons in pro wrestling, including John Cena, Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar, among others.

Still, The Phenomenal One would’ve loved to cross one more wrestling legend off his wishlist. Speaking on his Phenomenally Retro podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer Styles named Kenny Omega as his “dream” opponent, but noted that a matchup between the two former IWGP World Champions is unlikely.

“I would have liked to have had a match with him anywhere, but it didn’t happen. I got too old, and we went different places. It is what it is, it just wasn’t meant to be.”

“It’s never going to happen. Just throwing that out there, it’s never going to happen. Never going to happen.”

AJ Styles retired at the  2026 Royal Rumble. He was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during WrestleMania weekend.

While it isn’t uncommon for wrestlers to put on a match or two post-retirement, Styles has been adamant that he will not do so.

During a 2025 sit-down interview with “Insight” podcast host Chris Van Vilet, Styles reiterated that he will not wrestle into his fifties.

“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.”

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AJ Styles Has Transitioned Into a WWE Scout

After a phenomenal ten-year run in WWE as an in-ring performer, Styles will now spend his time searching for the promotion’s next big thing.

WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque detailed Styles’ transition into a WWE scout on Cody Rhodes’ podcast.

“Being an agent or producer is a different world than being in what we do. There are different fits for different people. AJ came in, he sat in on some creative meetings, he sat in on some production meetings. And I think he realized the writing thing’s not for him, the producer thing isn’t for him.

“What he really likes is getting to these young kids, spotting talent, and trying to help fan the flames of that little spark and turn it into something more—the developmental side.”

Last year, AJ Styles worked with some of WWE’s next-generation stars, including Je’Von Evans, Dominik Mysterio and TNA X-Division champion Leon Slater.

During his WWE Hall of Fame speech, Styles said his new role with WWE puts him in the position to find “the next Phenomenal One,” and allows him to continue to be involved in wrestling without being a wrestler.

As a WWE scout, Styles could work alongside Shawn Michaels to train up the legends of tomorrow at NXT.

NXT has become a breeding ground for WWE stars. With additional mentorship from Styles, the brand’s output could grow even stronger.

 

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