Summary

AJ Styles says recruiting and work with WWE ID will be one of the main areas he focuses on as he moves deeper into life after his in-ring career.

Speaking on WWE Now: WrestleMania Recap after his Hall of Fame induction during WrestleMania 42 weekend, Styles said he is currently balancing several different responsibilities. He added that WWE ID stands out as a major part of that mix because of his background and familiarity with the independent scene.

The update adds another layer to Styles' transition after his final match at the 2026 Royal Rumble, where he lost to GUNTHER in a bout that carried retirement stakes.

Quote from AJ Styles

Styles explained that recruiting and developmental support are where he sees a natural fit right now:

"Uh, wow. You know, I'm wearing a couple of different hats right now and we'll see which one sticks, and things change, quite often, and so, when I get too busy to do all these different hats that I'm trying to wear, and I have to focus on one, I'll let you know which one that is. But it is recruiting, it is working with WWE ID. That's a big part of the things that I know a lot about, the independents, and I know there's a lot of talent like me who didn't have a lot of money so, if we can get them a little bit more experience and a little bit more cash in their pockets, they're able to get that, it'll be a big thing for them."

Where AJ Styles fits in WWE now

Styles' comments line up with the idea that his value to WWE is not limited to what he did in the ring. His experience across WWE, TNA, NJPW and the broader independent world gives him a perspective that can help identify talent before they fully break through.

That also makes this a different lane from the creative and production meetings he previously sampled. Instead of shifting into a pure office role, Styles described a path that keeps him connected to wrestlers trying to build their footing, which fits the background that made him one of the most respected veterans of his era.

What AJ Styles joining WWE ID could mean

AJ Styles working with WWE ID could give the program a recruiter who understands exactly what it is like to come up outside the WWE system, and that could matter for prospects trying to bridge the gap from the independents to a bigger platform. It also gives WWE another recognizable Hall of Fame name attached to talent identification at a time when the company is still expanding how it scouts and develops future talent.

For fans, it is also another sign that Styles is staying visible inside WWE even after retirement. That keeps the door open for his influence to be felt through the next wave of talent, not just through his own career, but through the wrestlers he helps bring forward.

As Styles starts that next phase, his name is already still circulating around the WWE conversation, whether that is through his Hall of Fame weekend or stories like Dragon Lee saying AJ Styles approved his use of the Styles Clash.

Sources

AJ Styles while speaking on WWE Now: WrestleMania Recap