AJ Styles may have accidentally spoiled his WWE in-ring future following scary injury
AJ Styles' in-ring career stands in jeopardy as the former WWE Champion had a scary leg injury during the October 4 edition of SmackDown. An awkward landing during the match against Carmelo Hayes led Styles' to lose due to the referee's interruption.
Styles had to be carried backstage and taken to the hospital for immediate tests. It was later reported that he had suffered a Lisfranc injury, which meant he would be away for at least five months. The injury, moreover, also gave a jolt to AJ Styles' fans as it endangered the 47-year-old superstar's in-ring career.
It was also reported that AJ Styles was to be booked for a retirement tour as his contract with WWE is also nearing its end. Dave Meltzer at Wrestling Observer Radio recently reported that the company has plans to include real-life questions about Styles and his potential future in the "farewell tour" storyline.
The plans took a back seat as The Phenomenal One suffered an unfortunate injury. AJ Styles, however, isn't done yet. He hasn't called the shots on his wrestling career, and the turning down of TNA Wrestling's Hall of Fame induction bears testimony to it.
AJ Styles says he is still an "active wrestler"
The Phenomenal One cleared the doubts through his X account by saying that he is still an active wrestler. Even though he appreciates TNA's offer, he stated that he doesn't want to get inducted into the HOF as long as he is active.
This statement was a reply to an X user who had stated that Styles' rejection of TNA's HOF induction was influenced by WWE COO Triple H. The tweet mentioned that Styles' decision had "Triple H written all over it." The former WWE Champion clarified that the rejection was all his decision, and it had nothing to do with Triple H or WWE.
AJ Styles still has a lot to deliver in WWE
Even though he is 47, the two-time WWE Champion still has a lot of fire in his belly. He is considered one of the best wrestlers in today's generation, and his athletic skills have gobsmacked even his harsh critics.
He battled WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Cody Rhodes back-to-back at two premium live events: Backlash and Clash at the Castle: Scotland. Even though he lost both matches, his performance drew widespread applause.
He has a retirement tour ahead of him, during which he can wrestle Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and even John Cena, who, too, is starting his retirement tour in January 2025.
John Cena might overshadow AJ Styles' potential retirement
If Styles returns by next year and starts his retirement tour, then it might be eclipsed by John Cena's final tour, as the 16-time WWE Champion is bound to get more attention than AJ.
John Cena has already announced that he will kick off his retirement tour in 2025 and hang up his boots by the end of the year. Even though the company can book the two superstars against each other in their retirement tours, Cena will take Styles' limelight away.
Nevertheless, AJ hasn't announced his retirement tour as of now, and for the time being all eyes are on his recovery and subsequent return to the ring.