Jim Cornette says WWE broke a major Vince McMahon rule after AJ Styles got injured on SmackDown
Legendary wrestling manager Jim Cornette has commented on AJ Styles sustaining an injury during an episode of SmackDown. He said that WWE broke a Vince McMahon rule when an update was provided on TV.
The Phenomenal One made his long-awaited return on the October 4 episode of the blue brand. He wrestled Carmelo Hayes in the opening match and injured his leg after nailing the latter with a fireman's carry neckbreaker. The star was unable to continue, and Melo was given the win. AJ Styles left the arena on crutches, and it was announced that he had been taken to the hospital.
Speaking on the latest edition of The Experience, Jim Cornette pointed out that WWE used the word "hospital" instead of "medical facility" during the show, which was Vince McMahon's rule for a long time.
"Continuing with AJ, there was a video that they had shot of the doctor checking his left ankle in the trainer's room. Didn't look like AJ was having to work too hard to look disappointed. And they actually said, this is why I bring this up, Brian did you notice where they said that he went? They said, 'he went to the hospital.' They used that word. He's been taken to the hospital for X-rays. So another Vince McMahon rule bites the dust," said Cornette. [6:47-7:26]
Jim Cornette recalls when Vince McMahon first came up with the rule
Many words were banned in WWE when Vince McMahon was in charge. This includes belt, strap, and wrestling. However, after Triple H took over, certain words were removed from the banned list.
Jim Cornette explained why Vince McMahon wanted to use "medical facility" on TV instead of "hospital."
"And I remember, this was in the '90s. He said, 'Well, nobody believes, it sounds like bulls**t when you say you went to the hospital.' Well, what does it sound like when we say he went to a medical facility? It's like 'I didn't go to the post office, I went to the shipping department' or whatever. It's so unnatural," said Jim Cornette. [7:30-7:53]
AJ Styles' injury is legitimate, which is very unfortunate because he just came back from a lengthy hiatus.
If you use the quotes from this article, please credit the Jim Cornette Experience and add an H/T to Sportskeeda for the transcription.