AJ Styles Says He and John Cena Won’t Be Back After They Retire From WWE, Not Even For Saudi Arabia

In an interview with the RAW Recap podcast (via Fightful), AJ Styles said that after he and John Cena retire, neither will be back for another match, not even in Saudi Arabia. Cena is set to retire in December and Styles said he won’t be in the ring for much longer. Here are highlights:

On staying retired after he leaves wrestling: “Alright, well, well, let’s just be honest about the whole thing. I don’t know if you guys noticed, haven’t been in the main event picture lately. So, I just assumed that I wasn’t that important. But it sounds like, to me, the fans wanted this match, and at the end of the day, when it comes to John Cena’s retirement tour, we’re gonna give them what they want. So, I’m happy to have the opportunity to face John one more time and I can tell you this, it’ll never happen again. I don’t care how much money they offer us, we’re probably still — I said probably — we’re not going to Saudi Arabia to have another match. This is it. I know in my heart, this is the right thing and John’s gonna be retiring soon and I’m gonna be right behind him. It’s just the reality of two guys who have busted their butt for so many years, and busted their bodies at the same time. It’s time.”

On his matches with Cena: “He definitely made me. There’s no question in my mind that he helped make AJ Styles. He put me on a different level, and some of my best matches have been with John (Cena). That is also no question. So, I don’t know where I would be exactly on the charts right now, if it hadn’t had been for John but it certainly did help being in the ring…”

On Cena using the Styles Clash: “He didn’t call me. He didn’t ask if he could use it. But, with everything that he’s done for me, I took it as a compliment and even he said it on the interview, it was showing appreciation, and so, mind you, it’s never gonna be an AJ Styles ‘Styles Clash’ so, I forgive him pretty easy.”