According to Justin Barrasso at Undisputed, after speaking with those close to AJ Styles, he was ‘well aware’ that AEW head Tony Khan would have made him a “substantial offer” with a favorable schedule if he chose to wrestle outside of WWE.
Barrasso also indicates there are those who believe that Styles was genuinely unaware that a Hall of Fame induction was going to happen–and a smaller camp who think he was tipped off that something of the sort was brewing. It was added that Styles is honored to go into the Hall of Fame.
Barrasso further wrote, “For as much as WWE claims to be blissfully unaware of what is happening in AEW, that isn’t the case. With Styles getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, it severely limits any potential AEW owner Tony Khan had of bringing Styles in for a surprise appearance at the Revolution pay-per-view in March. For AEW, their post-WrestleMania show is Double or Nothing in May–and even that feels too soon for Styles to appear...that isn’t to imply Styles was looking to wrestle again. He meant what he said about spending time at home with family. But speaking to a few people close to him, Styles was well aware that AEW was willing to make a substantial offer. And it was likely going to be one that wouldn’t cost him much time away from home.”
Styles retired from in-ring competition, after his loss to Gunther at the Royal Rumble back on January 31. WWE held a tribute to Styles during this past Monday’s Raw in Atlanta. Towards the end of the segment, The Undertaker came out and announced Styles as the next inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Secondary Source: F4WOnline