AJ Styles is "still" best in the business, says WWE legend

AJ Styles said the words "I Quit" during his match against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in Glasgow, Scotland, ergo suffering a rare submission loss in his wrestling career. That was in June, and he has not been seen on SmackDown ever since.

Recently, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels praised The Phenomenal One when asked about who the best in-ring performers are in the business today. Michaels added that guys like Styles and Seth Rollins work in a particular "style" that resonates with him.

Speaking on Good Karma Wrestling, HBK noted how AJ Styles is still going strong at 47. Although before his aforementioned match against The American Nightmare, Styles had done a "fake retirement" promo, many industry veterans believe that the end is near for The Phenomenal One.

"I think Seth is a fantastic performer. That’s me, off the top of my head, picking one. He’s a guy that has unbelievable talent. AJ Styles is still a guy that I think is fantastic as well. The more I sit here and think about it, there are probably other guys that would come up, but I will say right now, for me, for my kind of style and what I enjoy out of matches, AJ and Seth are rocking pretty good." [From 12:42 to 13:18]

Despite Styles expressing interest in facing Michaels a few years ago, the latter turned it down, believing that he was way past his prime. The Phenomenal One signed with WWE six years after the Hall of Famer retired from in-ring competition.

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AJ Styles says he has "missed enough" of family time regarding WWE retirement

AJ Styles recently worked a few dates in Japan, where he had made a name for himself before his WWE signing. He disclosed later that it was probably the last time.

During an interview with Metro previously, the two-time WWE Champion opened up about retiring from in-ring competition. Styles has wrestled for plenty of promotions all over the world, but he wants to end his career in World Wrestling Entertainment:

"Once it’s over, I think it’s gonna be easy for me to go, 'Okay! I did what I was supposed to do! I fought as hard as I could for as long as I could to the point where I hopefully didn’t embarrass myself'," before adding, "No more missing birthdays, high school, elementary school stuff. I’m gonna be there as a father to see that. I’ve missed enough."

It remains to be seen when and what is next for The Phenomenal One on SmackDown, as his rivalry with Cody Rhodes appears to be over.

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