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AJ Styles is back, as he made his return on the October 4 episode of WWE SmackDown.
AJ Styles had not appeared on WWE programming since he lost to Cody Rhodes at WWE Clash at the Castle. He wrestled at NOAH Destination 2024 in July, and he also competed at several live events in July and August. After a few weeks away, he returned to action at the WWE live events on September 28-29.
On the October 4 episode of WWE SmackDown, AJ Styles came out and soaked in the cheers from the Nashville crowd. He said that he had done a lot of things he regretted, and some things he might not be forgiven for. However, he was there to talk about the present, and he wanted to rebuild his legacy. Styles said that SmackDown was still the house that AJ Styles built.
Carmelo Hayes the interrupted and said that he was “him”, as he had been holding it down while Styles had been gone.
Hayes told Styles that he was a fan of old-timers like him. He shifted the focus to himself and said that he deserved to be the WWE United States Champion. Styles brought up his history with Knight and tried to give Hayes advice. Hayes fired back by saying that he did not take advice from quitters.
Styles and Hayes kept going back and forth, and Styles challenged him to a match. Hayes turned him down, but WWE United States Champion LA Knight came out. He referenced his issues with both men. Knight told Hayes that if he could beat Styles, he would make his case to General Manager Nick Aldis for a title match.
AJ Styles Suffers Apparent Injury
Styles and Hayes then battled it out. During a commercial, Styles seemingly injured his ankle on a dive to the outside. The commentary team noted that the doctor told them that Styles may have suffered a sprained ankle. The match briefly continued, but Styles went down in the corner, apparently in a lot of pain. The referee rang the bell, and doctors checked on him.
As Styles made his way to the back, he heavily limped up the ramp. Hayes was declared the winner of the match. Knight then blindsided Hayes with a BFT.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
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