Jeff Hardy Says AJ Styles’ Retirement Surprised Him, Feels There Might Be Something For Styles To Do In TNA

Ishaan SharmaJune 19, 2026, 3:42 pm

The Hardys (Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy) discuss AJ Styles’s retirement.

One of the biggest wrestlers to retire this year was AJ Styles during the WWE Royal Rumble event. Since then, Styles has started working in a backstage role in WWE, where he helps out newer talents.

Speaking on Rewind Recap Relive, Jeff Hardy was asked about his TNA debut match, which took place against AJ Styles in 2004.

“Oh yeah, I was terrified and so intimidated. I hadn’t wrestled for like a year going into that match and Jeff Jarrett, I’ll never forget looking through that curtain and looking at the ring, it was that six-sided ring. He said, ‘What do you think?’ I said, ‘Ah, it feels like the future of pro wrestling.’ But yeah, it was a good memory for me because it was a great way to enter TNA to get a feel for what TNA is all about and what it’s going to be like.”

Later on, The Hardys shared their thoughts on AJ Styles’ retirement.

“(Jeff) But yeah, AJ, it was very shocking, man. I was surprised that he retired so soon. (Host Jonah says his retirement was abrupt) Yeah, for sure. Abrupt. Very abrupt.

(Matt) I was as well, just because AJ was still on top of his game. I think he still had more time left to be on top of his game if he chose to. Nothing but props to AJ Styles. He’s a great human being. He’s an absolutely incredible, just amazing performer. It sucks to see him go, man. But I’m very happy I got to work with him. I’m very happy I got to know him.”

Jonah says he hoped to see Styles wrestle in TNA one more time, and Jeff agreed.

“I kind of feel like too with TNA. He retired naturally in WWE, but I feel like there might be something left for him to do that he would like to do for TNA because he is the heart and soul and the reason TNA is here.”