AJ Styles injury update: WWE Champion expected to be backstage at Raw
What’s the story?
After an ambush angle saw AJ Styles sit out of a match at Madison Square Garden on Friday and missing two house shows, it was reported today that WWE have confirmed AJ Styles is injured.
PW Insider have now confirmed that the WWE Champion is dealing with an injury and is backstage at Raw tonight in Dallas to be looked over by WWE medical staff ahead of his showdown with Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania next month.
In case you didn’t know…
On Friday night, as WWE's special event in Madison Square Garden, AJ Styles was slated to team up with his WrestleMania opponent Shinsuke Nakamura, but the match never took place as Styles was attacked by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in what was clearly an angle to remove him from the match.
Now, the controversy lies in the fact the referee threw up the "X" and Styles was helped to the back, signifying a serious, legitimate injury - but many fans are smart to this now and many believed this was, in fact, part of the angle and WWE were trying to work those "smart" fans.
AJ Styles limped out with a chair to save Shinsuke Nakamura and apparently eradicate all thought of an injury. However, Styles has since been pulled from two live events and WWE have confirmed the injury.
The heart of the matter
PW Insider have now confirmed that AJ Styles is dealing with an injury and will be checked over by WWE medical staff backstage in Dallas tonight, where WWE Raw takes place from.
It is not yet known what the injury is or the severity of it, but AJ Styles has been known as a workhorse throughout his career and has shown no signs of slowing down since reaching WWE. Notoriously flying halfway across the world to fill in for Bray Wyatt after a bout of illness ruled The Eater of Worlds out of his slated match with Finn Balor.
This would suggest that either the injury is serious, WWE is taking no precautions with Styles so close to WrestleMania - or if it is all a work, WWE are really going all in to make the WWE Universe believe Styles is injured.
What’s next?
Well, I guess we may find out what the issue is after AJ Styles is assessed backstage at Raw tonight. Then again, WWE may try keep the issue under wraps until they know for certain what the issue is -- if, indeed, there is one.
Author’s take
AJ Styles has a big weight on his shoulders with the WWE Championship and a slated "dream match" for WrestleMania against Shinsuke Nakamura - but there is still over three weeks until WrestleMania.
Will AJ Styles be on SmackDown tomorrow? Well, there's so much going on that WWE could easily protect Styles by having him kept off of TV. One thing is for sure, all eyes will be watching out for The Phenomenal One tomorrow, and many nails will be bitten in fear of an injury ruling Styles out of WrestleMania.
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