{"id":153709,"date":"2026-02-23T15:22:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T20:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=153709"},"modified":"2026-02-23T15:22:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T20:22:48","slug":"what-to-expect-on-wwe-raw-tonight-for-aj-styles-tribute-show-2-23-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/02\/23\/what-to-expect-on-wwe-raw-tonight-for-aj-styles-tribute-show-2-23-26\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect on WWE Raw Tonight for AJ Styles Tribute Show (2\/23\/26)?"},"content":{"rendered":"

WWE Raw airs live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, for the flagship’s final show before this weekend’s Elimination Chamber PLE<\/a>. And what a show it is looking to be. Unlike most weeks for Raw, WWE has pretty much laid out the entire card for a show that will be framed around tributes to the recently retired AJ Styles. There will be SmackDown wrestlers on hand in addition to the return of Brock Lesnar and a very important decision from Liv Morgan. Plus, the final two spots in the Elimination Chamber will be decided. Oh, and there is this mysterious crate traveling around…<\/p>\n

Below, we break down the three biggest storylines that fans can expect to see play out on WWE Raw tonight.<\/p>\n

WWE Raw Tonight (2\/23\/26) – Top Storylines<\/h2>\n
\"AJ
Credit: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Phenomenal Farewell<\/h3>\n

When AJ Styles left the ring in Saudi Arabia, something didn’t feel right<\/a>. While rumors of his retirement had begun to swirl before the match, going into the Royal Rumble, things never truly felt ‘final.’ Sure, it was 10 years since Styles made his WWE debut, and sure, he walked away at the same event where it all began for him. But something was missing and has been missing…until tonight.<\/p>\n

WWE is pulling out all of the stops for Styles to say goodbye to wrestling just a short distance away from where he grew up in Gainesville, Georgia. Styles is confirmed to be in the arena live, so it’s hard to imagine Gunther won’t try to make his presence known despite what will no doubt be Adam Pearce’s best efforts to prevent such a thing. But Gunther and any potential storyline development aside, tonight will be about the ‘Face who Ran the Place’ for the last decade. Expect surprises, including some potentially from Styles’ old stomping grounds. There could even possibly be an announcement or two with a Hall of Fame induction being floated around. Wrestlers have been sharing their goodbyes to Styles through video tributes, but there will be more of that in person as the guys and girls of the locker room have a chance to thank him for what he’s meant to their careers.<\/p>\n

Essentially, tonight will be about celebrating and recognizing the phenomenal career of AJ Styles. No matter what twists and turns WWE may sneak in along the way…
\n<\/p>\n

Building to Elimination Chamber<\/h3>\n

On Monday, the final two spots for the Elimination Chamber matches will be decided. Thus far, the matches look like this:<\/p>\n