In what could only be described as a dramatic twist fit for daytime TV, AJ Styles pulled a fast one on the WWE Universe. Dressed sharper than a tack in a powder blue suit, Styles had the crowd buzzing with retirement rumors on tonight’s episode of “WWE SmackDown.” He started the evening by meeting with GM Nick Aldis, hinting at a big decision that he’d reveal during the main event. But, plot twist – that snazzy suit might as well have been Mark Henry’s infamous salmon jacket because it was all a setup to ambush WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
After casually interacting with LA Knight and Rhodes backstage, even whispering sweet nothings into the champ’s ear, Styles rallied his OC buddies, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. He gave a heartfelt speech about their adventures around the world, saying he couldn’t “do this” without them and asked them to join him in the ring. Styles teased the crowd about retiring to be “a phenomenal dad” with his son recently graduating high school. He then called out Rhodes, claiming that “SmackDown” was still “the house that AJ Styles built” but it was time to hand Cody the keys.
The moment was dripping with sincerity – Rhodes thanked Styles, they shook hands, and saluted the crowd together. But just when you thought it was a heartwarming retirement send-off, BAM! Styles clotheslined Rhodes out of nowhere. The beatdown that followed was brutal: Styles threw Rhodes outside, smashed his head into the ringpost, and delivered a devastating Styles Clash off the ring steps. Meanwhile, Gallows and Anderson were practically in stitches watching the chaos unfold.
With Clash At the Castle just over two weeks away, it looks like Styles might have done enough to push Rhodes into granting him a rematch for the WWE Championship in Scotland. Tune in, folks – this drama is just getting started!