40-year-old WWE star teases aligning with AJ Styles ahead of SmackDown

With only a few hours left before Friday Night SmackDown airs live, the status of AJ Styles still remains unclear. He suffered a freak accident last week in what was his in-ring return after a nearly four-month hiatus.

In the last decade, the former two-time WWE Champion had an on-again-off-again relationship with his stablemates, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. They began their journey in Japan and continued their alliance in the Stamford-based promotion.

Taking to Instagram, the 40-year-old Gallows shared an old picture of the three men standing in the ring together confronting The Judgment Day. This photograph was from late 2022 when The Good Brothers re-signed with WWE and the company had kickstarted The O.C. vs. The Judgment Day program.

You can check out a screengrab of Gallows' Instagram story below:

The O.C. vs. The Judgment Day in 2022 [Photo credits: Screenshot of Gallow's Instagram story]

Interestingly, this is also the storyline in which The O.C. recruited Michin, who was brought back by the company as their backup against The Judgment Day's Rhea Ripley. Michin most recently found success on SmackDown when she defeated Chelsea Green in a Dumpster Match.

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AJ Styles WWE retirement tour in the works, put on hold

It appears that AJ Styles like his former rival John Cena, who will begin his Farewell Tour in 2025, was also looking to end his in-ring career.

As per a new report, this angle was set to commence last week before the untimely injury occurred. Styles was disappointed at the turn of events, but the severity of the injury will only be confirmed once the MRI results are out.

WWE has decided to put The Phenomenal One's retirement tour on hold because of the current injury sustained by Styles. The promotion is reportedly waiting on the MRI report before planning his future.

Amidst his feud with Karrion Kross during the summer of 2023, AJ Styles spoke in depth about his inevitable retirement. He stated having "missed enough" in his personal life, reflecting on his wrestling career, and how he was unable to be part of some of the better moments of his family life.

Despite this, Styles hinted that life after his in-ring career will have him be part of WWE in some form or fashion. He admitted that he enjoys giving tips and tricks to the younger talents.

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