The wrestling world is buzzing following a night of raw emotion and unexpected milestones. For weeks, the rumor mill had been working overtime regarding the future of AJ Styles. Following a high-stakes loss to GUNTHER at the Royal Rumble, speculation reached a fever pitch that “The Phenomenal One” might be looking for the exit door, perhaps seeking to finish his legendary career outside the confines of the WWE “bubble.”
However, those departure rumors were definitively silenced during last night’s episode of Monday Night Raw in Atlanta, Georgia. What began as a career retrospective and a heartfelt speech from Styles to his hometown crowd transformed into a historic landmark for the franchise. In a moment that sent the arena into a frenzy, The Undertaker made a surprise appearance to reveal that AJ Styles will be officially inducted as the second member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026, joining the previously announced Stephanie McMahon.
While the fans in attendance were stunned, reports suggest that the man in the ring was even more blindsided. According to Bryan Alvarez of F4WON, this wasn’t a scripted beat that Styles was prepared for; he was reportedly kept entirely in the dark regarding the induction. When The Deadman delivered the news, Styles’ shocked reaction was “legitimately genuine.”
Far from being overwhelmed by the weight of the honor, Styles leaned into the moment, celebrating the career-defining achievement in the ring alongside his wife and children. This “surprise” tactic appears to be a new favorite strategy for WWE creative; it mirrors the exact way Stephanie McMahon was inducted by The Undertaker during Wrestlepalooza last September, which was also kept a closely guarded secret from the inductee until the cameras were rolling.
While the Class of 2026 is starting to take shape with two heavy-hitting icons, the logistics of the ceremony itself remain shrouded in mystery. WWE has yet to confirm a specific date or venue for the induction gala.
If history is any indication, the ceremony typically anchors the Friday night of WrestleMania weekend. Last year, the festivities took place at the BleauLive Theater inside the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, airing immediately following Friday Night SmackDown. With WrestleMania 42 returning to the bright lights of Las Vegas, many insiders believe a return to the BleauLive Theater is a near-certainty, though the WWE front office has yet to sign off on the official schedule.
