Fans of the WWE who have been hoping for AJ Styles’ return are about to be in for a sore disappointment when they realize the latest WWE news reports confirm that he will not appear at any events until Christmas, if not later. Does that mean his glorious return to the ring, long rumored since TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs , has been delayed indefinitely?
That’s the suggestion from Wrestling, Inc. , who suggests that AJ Styles’ return has been delayed if not indefinitely, then at least for a long time. The superstar has been removed from all promotions for the company until after Christmas, and he hasn’t been announced for anything else. Originally, Styles was supposed to face off against James Ellsworth on this week’s SmackDown to defend his World Championship title, but those plans, of course, were changed.
After a fatal four-way match that took place instead, Dolph Ziggler emerged as the number one contender for the World Championship title. As it stands right now, Styles and Ziggler are due to face off for the title on the December 27 edition of SmackDown , which, incidentally, is the same day that John Cena will be returning to the show. However, if Styles hasn’t recovered from his injury, will all of that change?
????Retweet and Congrats to Dolph Ziggler on becoming the #1Contender for the #WWETitle ! #SDLive #WWE #AJStyles pic.twitter.com/Azj3Dz6EAh
— Mikey Ace (@MikeyAceStudios) December 14, 2016
CBS Local also sat down with Shawn Michaels to discuss AJ Styles’ return to the ring — more specifically, to fight against him in the Royal Rumble — and he offered an explanation that was less-than-favorable to fans who were hoping for the return of The Phenomenal One: they just don’t care.
“No one has even contacted me about that show. I don’t know if anyone cares that I’m from there. I think the WWE has happily moved on from me.”
What did you do today Kevin? Oh nothin, just met @ShawnMichaels !! We discussed his new flick @GavinStoneMovie … & maybe a little wrestling pic.twitter.com/1Nb5HgD5L2
— Kevin Hageland (@OThankKevin) December 12, 2016
Of course, Shawn Michaels was more interested in the promotion of his new film than in anything having to do with the WWE, so it’s safe to say that he was a little biased. Still, it bears noting that there are even some superstars who are questioning whether AJ Styles’ return will ever happen, which doesn’t bode well for The Phenomenal One.
Still, in a previous report by the Inquisitr , it’s been suggested that AJ Styles’ return could be marked by a fatal four-way match at WrestleMania 33 , which would really be good news — and good ratings — for the company.
Lol, that hair flip though. His hair is amazing #AJStyles pic.twitter.com/aENhsxAhpl
— AJStyles-Source.?om (@AJStylesSource) December 14, 2016
The Inquisitr’s previous report also suggests that we’ll start to see hints of this three-way match at the Royal Rumble , which is the unofficial start of the WWE’s promotion for WrestleMania .
“So, how can Styles be added to the rumored WrestleMania 33 main event? It’s simple: he’ll invoke his rematch clause, and say he wants his rematch at the biggest show of the year. It’s pretty well known that WWE wants to have Cena tie Ric Flair’s record for most world title wins at WrestleMania 33 , and adding Styles to the match can ensure that the fifteen time champ ties the Nature Boy’s record by pinning Styles in the main event, thus getting his win back over Styles. Also, Undertaker can lose the title without getting pinned, which could setup a match between Cena and The Deadman somewhere down the road.”
Do you think AJ Styles’ return to the ring will be further delayed or marred in controversy? When do you think it will happen?
Leave your thoughts about when you think AJ Styles’ return will happen in the comments below.
[Featured Image by WWE]
