AJ Types was quietly coping with mounting accidents earlier than formally calling it a profession — and now extra particulars are popping out about simply how worn down he was.
Whereas Types just lately signed a brand new deal to stay with WWE in a behind-the-scenes developmental function, Karl Anderson revealed that the choice to retire wasn’t about means — it was about bodily put on and tear. Talking on Busted Open Radio on February 27, 2026, Anderson made it clear that Types might nonetheless carry out at an elite degree if he wished to.
“Yeah, it’s clear that AJ Types can nonetheless go within the ring and do what he’s at all times been in a position to do. I feel he can nonetheless do it in addition to anyone in all the world. We see what he can do.”
Regardless of that, Anderson admitted he hoped Types would proceed wrestling for a number of extra years.
“I clearly wished AJ to maintain going. I wished him to go for one more 5 years, and I do know that he can. Everyone knows that he can.”
However when Anderson spoke to Types backstage after RAW — following his retirement announcement — the truth grew to become clear. Types wasn’t stepping away as a result of he couldn’t carry out. He was stepping away as a result of his physique had taken an excessive amount of punishment. That dialog, in keeping with Anderson, confirmed that Types meant each phrase.
“However after I checked out him in his eyes after Uncooked and stated I didn’t know if he was going to retire or not, he instructed me, ‘Dude, I’m too beat up. My neck hurts. My again hurts. And I really wish to assist prepare the subsequent era.’ And it was like, man, he actually means it. I do know he’s going to have the ability to stroll away along with his well being. He’s damage and beat up like all of us are, however the truth that he can nonetheless stroll, nonetheless be a dad, and nonetheless transfer round — I feel he’s blissful he’s in a position to get out whereas he can, on his personal phrases.”
This reveals why Types selected to retire following his Royal Rumble loss to GUNTHER. It wasn’t about dropping a step within the ring. It was about neck ache, again ache, and the long-term toll of a profession that spanned many years. Now, as a substitute of pushing by way of accidents, Types is shifting his focus to mentoring the subsequent era — leaving the ring on his personal phrases slightly than being pressured out by it.
Do you respect AJ Types extra for stepping away whereas he nonetheless might — or do you want he had pushed by way of for yet another run? Tell us your ideas.
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