Sources close to the squared circle have whispered into the ears of PWInsider that AJ Styles, aka “The Phenomenal One,” might just be on track to deliver a phenomenal surprise at this weekend’s Royal Rumble in Indianapolis. According to the report, WWE is “hoping” Styles will be cleared for action, proving once again that hope springs eternal—even when your ligaments don’t.
Styles has been out of action since October, thanks to an injury that had wrestling fans cringing harder than a botched promo. For those keeping score at home, the injury happened during a SmackDown match against Carmelo Hayes, after a fireman’s carry gone wrong. What should’ve been a simple maneuver ended with AJ’s knee giving out like a babyface after too many chair shots. Fans suspected a storyline injury at first, but nope—this one was as real as a steel cage.
Earlier this month, Styles confirmed he’d suffered a Lisfranc injury, which, for those without a Ph.D. in sports medicine, is fancy talk for “my foot’s messed up and it hurts.” Styles called the recovery “challenging,” though one has to wonder if he’s been trying to train with his foot up on the ropes like he’s delivering a calf crusher.
If he’s good to go, the Royal Rumble could see the return of the man who flips and flies like he’s allergic to gravity. But will he be 100% ready to throw 29 other Superstars over the top rope? Only time—and potentially AJ’s ankles—will tell.