WWE SmackDown video highlights: AJ Styles addresses his future
AJ Styles has got a lot left in the tank.
Throughout last night’s SmackDown, Styles teased that his in-ring career might be over. The episode culminated with an emotional Styles, wearing a powder blue suit, giving what appeared to be a retirement speech. But it all ended up being a ruse like Mark Henry in 2013. Styles used the fake retirement as a way to target Cody Rhodes. After calling Rhodes out to the ring, Styles attacked the Undisputed WWE Champion and laid him out with a Styles Clash.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis told Styles last week that he would need to go to the back of the line and earn another shot at Rhodes. Styles then met with Aldis last night and requested some time to address his future.
Styles brought Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson out with him for his speech. After thinking about what Aldis said, Styles realized that, at this point in his life and career, he can’t work his way back up to a title shot.
“This past week, my son graduated high school,” Styles said. “And I got to be there. We had his graduation party at my house, and it was beautiful. So many friends and family were there. And it was literally at that point, clarity hit me upside the head — ‘How many of these have I missed?’ So instead of being the Phenomenal AJ Styles, maybe I stay at home and be a phenomenal father.”
Styles expressed his appreciation for Gallows and Anderson before the trio did one last Too Sweet together. He then had Rhodes join him in the ring.
“Before I came out here to do what I got to do, I just wanted to look you in the eyes, face-to-face, and tell you I had one of the greatest matches I’ve ever had at Backlash in Lyon, France,” Styles told Rhodes. “The crowd was electric. And if I was going to have one last match, that would be it. But just so you know, this is still the house that AJ Styles built. And I called you out here to hand you the keys.”
Rhodes revealed that he and Styles have only ever texted each other once. After Backlash, Rhodes reached out to see if Styles was ok. Styles’ response was, “I’m all good, little bro.” On behalf of everyone in the locker room, Rhodes thanked Styles for being a big bro to them.
The two hugged and Rhodes raised Styles’ arm in celebration, but Styles dropped Rhodes with a lariat. He beat Rhodes down as Gallows and Anderson prevented officials from putting a stop to the attack. Styles then gave Rhodes a Styles Clash, jumping from the steel steps and planting Rhodes on the floor.
More coverage from last night —
- Women’s Championship match added to WWE Clash at the Castle
- Bloodline segment, three matches set for next WWE SmackDown
- WWE SmackDown live results: The coronation of Nia Jax
WWE SmackDown video highlights —
Piper Niven & Chelsea Green attack Bayley during Nia Jax’s coronation
AJ Styles requests some time to speak about his future
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Austin Theory
LA Knight wants Logan Paul’s United States title
Andrade declines an invitation to join Legado Del Fantasma
Andrade vs. Apollo Crews
Paul Heyman pleads with Kevin Owens to back off The Bloodline
Kevin Owens & The Street Profits brawl with The Bloodline
The Street Profits vs. Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa
Jade Cargill will gladly put Indi Hartwell on the shelf next to Candice LeRae
Bayley & Naomi vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
AJ Styles speaks with LA Knight, Cody Rhodes, and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
AJ Styles addresses his future, lays out Cody Rhodes
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.