AJ Styles injured during return to WWE SmackDown

AJ Styles made his return to WWE SmackDown this Friday, October 4, 2024, after he had not appeared on WWE programs since his defeat against Cody Rhodes at Clash at the Castle last June. Or, le Phenomenal One appears to have injured his left ankle during his match against Carmelo Hayes.

AJ Styles and Carmelo Hayes indeed opened hostilities last night on SmackDown, by confronting each other in the opener of the episode of the Stamford company’s blue show. But the fight had to be stopped by Charles Robinson, referee of the match, following an injury to AJ Styles due to a bad landing on a backflip, then a bad blow taken while giving his opponent an ushi goroshi.

Carmelo Hayes was declared the winner, giving him a future shot at the United States Championship against LA Knight.

While he was able to leave the arena limping but alone and on his own two feet, AJ Styles was filmed alongside a doctor later in the show. He was later seen backstage leaving the venue using crutches to get around.

Also read: WWE SmackDown results for October 4

It is still difficult to say with certainty that it is a real injury, although the signs pointing in this direction are unfortunately quite numerous. It remains to be seen whether the wrestler and/or WWE will communicate on this subject, and whether AJ Styles will be forced to be absent again, but this time for the wrong reasons.