Unfortunate update on AJ Styles after WWE Bad Blood - Reports
AJ Styles is suffering from an injury. The star was left hurt immediately after his return after several weeks, and a new report has shed light on the unfortunate incident.
Styles was wrestling Carmelo Hayes on SmackDown last week when he landed badly after a springboard from the second rope. This led to him suffering an injury, which was further exacerbated when his left leg gave out and he collapsed while trying to hit Hayes with an Argentine Backbreaker.
Jackie Redmond also reported on the same after SmackDown, saying that she could confirm that the star had suffered a "mid-foot ligament sprain," also known as a Lisfranc injury. She spoke about him getting an MRI later in the week. Styles reacted, saying that everything happened for a reason, but it was clear that he was naturally disappointed with how the return had gone.
"I believe everything happens for a reason. I’ll keep you updated."
There were some reports earlier stating that Styles' injury was part of a storyline. However, reports by Dave Meltzer following Bad Blood have disputed this. The report stated that AJ Styles' injury on SmackDown was legitimate and not part of a storyline. It went on to say that he was getting an MRI done to find out how severe the injury was.
As of now, there are no further updates on when the star will finally return to competition.
AJ Styles was missing from WWE for some time before the injury
AJ Styles' match against Carmelo Hayes may have been stopped last week thanks to the injury, but the star's appearances on televised WWE programming have been few and far between in the latter half of 2024.
While he has competed at live events and tours, as well as a one-off appearance in Pro Wrestling NOAH, his last televised match before last week was on June 15, 2024, at Clash at the Castle.
AJ is now 47 years old, and there's no telling how this injury might hamper him in the future. Whether he'll be able to return before the end of 2024 remains to be seen.