AJ Styles says WrestleMania “used to be the most prestigious PLE” but has “kind of lost its luster a little bit”
In a video interview published to WWE’s YouTube channel, AJ Styles commented on his decision to retire at the 2026 Royal Rumble PLE instead of WrestleMania…
“It was coming back from an injury to WrestleMania to a match that didn’t, to me, have much build. And WrestleMania, listen, I’m sorry to say, used to be the most prestigious PLE or pay-per-view, whatever you want to call it. But to me, it has kind of lost its luster a little bit.
But as far as the Royal Rumble, that’s special to me because that’s where I made my debut. So to be able to end where I started, it’s poetic.”
AJ Styles believes WrestleMania has lost its luster.
"WrestleMania, I'm sorry to say, used to be the most prestigious PLE or PPV, but to me it's kinda lost its luster a little bit.
(RAW Recap) pic.twitter.com/MxQrEOStQt
— Tribal Wrestling (@TribalMegastar) February 24, 2026