WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins recently spoke with Solo Wrestling where he talked about a wide range of pro wrestling topics.
During the interview, he talked about Dean Ambrose departing from the WWE as his contract expired this month. This is where he made it known that only his former Shield brother knows what he’ll do next whether that’s signing with another promotion or returning to the WWE down the line.
“The only one who knows where Dean Ambrose is going now is Dean Ambrose,” Rollins said. “Maybe he’s working for another wrestling company, maybe he’s going back to WWE, maybe he’s going into another activity in the entertainment world, or maybe only take his dog for a walk in the company of his wife.”
Rollins is slated to make his next title defense against AJ Styles at the Money In The Bank pay-per-view event. This is where he promised to have a really special match with the former WWE Champion.
“I hope fans are as excited as AJ and me, because it’s going to be something really special. AJ Styles and me are the best wrestlers in the world right now. The match will be one of the most special this year.”
WWE presents the Money In The Bank pay-per-view event on Sunday, May 19, 2019 in Hartford, CT at the XL Center that will air on the WWE Network.
It didn’t take AJ Styles long to find himself in a championship match for the top title on the flagship show of WWE, Monday Night RAW.
After beating Rey Mysterio and Samoa Joe in a qualifying triple threat match and later defeating Baron Corbin on Monday’s episode of RAW, Styles is on his way to Money in the Bank.
Styles is slated to challenge WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins for the strap at the upcoming at the Money In The Bank pay-per-view event. The former WWE Champion took to his official Twitter account to comment on the contest by writing:
Don’t let anyone fool you…these are two men who respect each other but make no mistake, I plan on taking @WWERollins title at #MITB.
WWE presents the Money In The Bank pay-per-view event on Sunday, May 19, 2019 in Hartford, CT at the XL Center that will air on the WWE Network.
Interesting Ric Flair Trademarks
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair filed to trademark two interesting things back on Monday, April 15. Those terms were Founder of Swag” and “King of Drip.”
According to the documents, they were filed for trademarks to use for “Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer.”
Two notable faces were missing from last night’s (Mon. April 22, 2019) Monday Night RAW broadcast. Those being Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley. However, after the show went off-air, both men appeared as part of the evening’s dark match to close out the night.
WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins teamed up with Strowman to defeat Lashley and Drew McIntyre.
Rollins Is Ready For AJ Styles
Last night, former WWE Champion AJ Styles earned a shot at Rollins’ Universal Championship. The pair will square off at the Money In The Bank (MITB) pay-per-view (PPV) event next month (Sunday, May 19, 2019). All the action takes place from the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
“The Architect” took to Twitter after the announcement to offer his reaction. Rollins said that he has been ready for a match-up with Styles for the past 15 years. Check it out here:
That’s not the only match that was made official for the card. WWE also made it official that Becky Lynch will be defending her RAW Women’s Championship against Lacey Evans at the show.
This week’s episode of Raw was live from Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and it saw Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns teaming up with AJ Styles for a 6 men tag match in the main event of the show.
After their match, the cameras stopped rolling and AJ went backstage but the Shield Members remained in the ring for an ending segment. Seth took the mic and called out Dean Ambrose by referring to the fact that his wife Renee Young is also Canadian.
Dean Ambrose then came out to a huge pop and he cut a babyface promo to send the crowd home happy. You can check out some videos and photos of the angle below:
This week’s episode of Raw served as the first part of the
Superstar Shakeup and it saw stars such as Rey Mysterio and the Miz switching
brands and joining the Red Roster.
However, the brand’s biggest acquisition for the night has
to be the former WWE Champion AJ Styles who made his return to the show during
the main event.
After the show went off air, the Phenomenal One was interviewed backstage and commenting on this brand switch, Styles claimed that just like SmackDown Live, he is going to make Raw his house too:
We noted before how former WWE Champion AJ Styles suffered an injury during his WrestleMania match against Randy Orton. Due to the injury, Styles had to miss a couple of his scheduled appearances including this week’s episode of SmackDown Live.
At the time, there weren’t many details available on his condition. Though during a recent Mixer stream, the Phenomenal one provided some information on his health while playing Player Unknown’s Battleground.
Styles confirmed the reports that he was sent home after WrestleMania and had to miss both his scheduled Axxess appearance and SmackDown Live due to his condition.
However while many believed that AJ suffered the injury while doing a Forearm from the ring onto the floor, the former Champion revealed that the actual reason for the damage was a superplex he took during the bout.
Continuing on the topic, he explained that while landing, he hit his left side a bit before his right side. It caused his hips to get knocked out of the place and due to it the muscles in his back were all swollen up.
The SmackDown Star admitted that he wasn’t able to walk
properly the next day but mentioned that the wrong fall was his own fault and
not his opponent’s.
Thankfully, the X Rays all came back positive and according to AJ Styles, he didn’t break any bone. It showed only tissue damage so he should be good to return to action soon.
While there is no set timetable for his return, the former TNA Star mentioned that he hopes to return to the ring by next week and it’d be interesting to see if he makes it back before the Superstar Shakeup.
Unfortunately, former WWE Champion AJ Styles was injured while competing at WrestleMania 35.
Styles battled fellow former WWE Champion Randy Orton in a singles match at Sunday’s pay-per-view event. The top SmackDown star won the second main card match after pinning him after hitting a Phenomenal Forearm.
Pwinsider.com reports that Styles was pulled from today’s Axxess VIP meet & greet appearance due to an injury. As of this writing, there’s no word yet on details of the injury.
Dave Meltzer reported that Styles is heading home and will not be on Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown Live in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center. It was added in the report that fans saw Styles at the airport and that the former WWE Champion was moving slowly.
It was noted that fans who had already bought tickets to meet Styles were told that he was removed from the signing due to an injury and that they were offered full refunds.
Fans were also promised of an 8×10 photo of Styles that would be mailed to them, or the chance to meet new WWE Champion Kofi Kingston instead.
We will have more on the injury as soon as we have more details.
AJ Styles defeated Randy Orton last night at WrestleMania 35. In a match many fans had pegged as a potential show-stealer, there was a lighting issue which resulted in many fans having a bright yellow light shining in their eyes.
Orton took to Instagram to comment on the light which reduced fans’ visibility of the match:
WrestleMania 35 was the 16th time AJ Styles and Randy Orton have met in single’s action when house shows are factored in. Styles leads the all-time series 13-3. Orton won the first 3 matches the two had in 2017 but Styles has won the last 13.
With house shows taken out of the equation, Orton and Styles are now 1-1 against each other. Orton had previously defeated AJ Styles on the March 7th, 2017 edition of Smackdown.
Much of the build-up towards AJ Styles vs Randy Orton last night had to do with Styles’ signature phrase of referring to Smackdown as “the House that AJ Styles built”. Orton took exception to this, noting that while Styles was competing for TNA Wrestling and NJPW, Orton was in WWE, building Smackdown.
Kurt Angle is going to face AJ Styles this Tuesday in what will be his last ever match on SmackDown, WWE announced on Sunday.
Despite sharing a long history of matches, this will be the first time that Angle and Styles would face each other in WWE.
On March 11, Angle made the announcement that he would be competing in his final match at WrestleMania 35. He has been having matches since then every week on Raw as part of his farewell tour, facing the likes of Apollo Crews and Chad Gable.
The two were involved in literally a 100 matches during their time in the TNA. They faced each other for the last time in July of 2013 at the TNA BaseBrawl house show, where Angle defeated Styles. Will the SD Live match have the same outcome?
AJ Styles actually commented on his upcoming match with Angle during a Live Event in Buffalo yesterday. He said that he expects the Olympic Gold Medalist to tear the house down in his final match on the blue brand.
“Mohegan Sun Arena… Tuesday night SmackDown Live! Kurt Angle’s last match… at least for SmackDown that is. Against AJ Styles. We’ve got history, Kurt. Great matches. So we get to end this one in a WWE ring. I’m looking forward to it. You know of the respect that I have for you… But I’m not gonna make this easy on you Kurt. I expect you to bring it. Just tear the house down.”
AJ Styles will not be leaving WWE anytime in the near future.
After months of speculation about his future, the former WWE Champion confirmed on Monday that he has signed a new contract with the promotion. He also got a new puppy.
This is the newest member of my family. Also, I’ve signed a new contract with the WWE. What a cute little guy. pic.twitter.com/PNqh9shgTH
As of this writing, it is not clear when Styles original WWE deal was up. He signed a 3-year deal in late January of 2016. Styles made his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble just weeks after wrestling his final match for New Japan Pro Wrestling at the Tokyo Dome.
There have also been reports that Styles’ Bullet Club stablemates, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows, have not been able to reach an agreement with WWE. The Good Brothers have reportedly been pulled from all upcoming live appearances in the wake of them turning down new WWE contracts.
Last week, the Wrestling Observer newsletter reported that Anderson & Gallows did not know if they would re-sign with WWE or go elsewhere. Dave Meltzer noted, “For Gallows & Anderson, they’ll have a far better idea in September about their next five years than now.”
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry spoke about a certain match that he thinks could end up being the WrestleMania 35 main event and it’s not the obvious options.
For a few weeks now, many people believe that Seth Rollins challenging Universal Champion Brock Lesnar or WWE RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair will be the headliner.
In the eyes of Henry, he thinks the match between Randy Orton and AJ Styles at Wrestlemania 35 could be the headliner. The reason for his mindset is due to both guys being champions several times. Henry pointed out that Styles has carried the SmackDown Live brand for the past two years and Orton is closing in on being the Mount Rushmore of all-time greats.
He thinks that many people don’t look at the match as filler. He agrees that the matches listed above are main event worthy but also believes Orton and Styles are as well.
“So why wouldn’t this be in the conversation as a main event match at WrestleMania.”
WWE presents the WrestleMania 35 pay-per-view event on Sunday, April 7, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ at MetLife Stadium that will air on the WWE Network. WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks.
Former WWE Champion AJ Styles has given his reaction to facing fellow former champion Randy Orton at WrestleMania 35. He did so by writing the following his official Twitter account where he reacted to the news:
“I’ve been holding down this house way before I came to @WWE. The lights may not have been as bright, the audience may not have been as big…but a ring is still a ring. And any ring I step into belongs to me. #WrestleMania”
WWE presents the WrestleMania 35 pay-per-view event on Sunday, April 7, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ at MetLife Stadium that will air on the WWE Network.
DX Member Appears At NXT Event
2019 WWE Hall of Famer Sean “X-Pac” Waltman made a surprise appearance at the NXT live event on Thursday in St. Petersburg, FL at the St. Petersburg Armory.
He did so by coming out to the ring to cut a promo. Waltman has been working as a guest trainer at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this week.
After cutting promos on each other recently on Smackdown, AJ Styles and Randy Orton are scheduled for WrestleMania. WWE recently confirmed the two will face each other in single’s competition on the show.
“At WrestleMania, AJ Styles will take on Randy Orton in a battle to see who has the right to call SmackDown LIVE their house,” a WWE press release reads.
Orton and Styles have only wrestled one single’s match on WWE programming previously. Orton defeated Styles on the March 7th, 2017 episode of Smackdown in a match which earned him a future title shot. They’ve since wrestled several times on house shows recently, however.
“WWE.com has since learned that this match will indeed that place on The Showcase of the Immortal, Sunday, April 7 at 7 ET/4 PT on the award-winning WWE Network.”
WrestleMania 35 – April 7th, 2019 – Lineup
Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Seth Rollins
RAW Women’s Championship Triple Threat
Ronda Rousey (c) vs Charlotte Flair vs Becky Lynch
No Holds Barred
Triple H vs Batista
Kurt Angle’s Farewell Match
Kurt Angle vs TBD
Shane McMahon vs the Miz
AJ Styles vs Randy Orton
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Buddy Murphy (c) vs Tony Nese/Cedric Alexander winner
The show takes place from Metlife Stadium, April 7th, 2019.
A new match has been announced for WWE WrestleMania 35. On Thursday, WWE confirmed that AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton would take place at the biggest event of the year for the company.
This has been a match that had been teased by WWE for a few weeks now on SmackDown Live through backstage segments. The two former World Champions have also been working dark main events the last two weeks.
WWE presents the WrestleMania 35 pay-per-view event on Sunday, April 7, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ at MetLife Stadium that will air on the WWE Network. WWE will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming weeks.
WWE RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair is expected to headline the show. Here is the updated card:
Updated WWE WrestleMania 35 Card
WWE RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair – Triple Threat Match
WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins
Batista vs. Triple H – No Holds Barred Match
Kurt Angle vs. TBA – Angle’s Farewell Match
Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy vs. TBA
What are your thoughts on this match being added to the card? Sound off in the comment section.
What began as a small issue quickly escalated this Sunday at WWE’s Fastlane event. Now, AJ Styles and Randy Orton are seemingly WrestleMania bound. The two started a war of the words this past Tuesday on SmackDown Live.
In an effort to insult Styles, Randy Orton would compare their career paths. He stated that: “In 2005, AJ was down in Florida getting a tan with Dixie Carter while I was here, facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania.”
This was in reference to AJ’s time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, now Impact Wrestling, and its former majority owner, Dixie Carter.
Turns out that Dixie Carter heard her name dropped during this promo.
A fan on Twitter made her aware she was trending on Twitter after being mentioned. This prompted her to make a tongue-in-cheek response:
“.@AJStylesOrg & I never had to tan as we were always golden. My historical recollection is different than yours @RandyOrton. #SDLive”
AJ Styles is just one of many current WWE Superstars who honed their craft and made a name for themselves whilst at TNA. The current United States Champion, Samoa Joe, is another TNA alumni who has found a place within WWE, as are Bobby Roode and New Day member, Xavier Woods.
Are you looking forward to an AJ/Orton feud? Do you think each man could have had a better opponent or storyline going into WrestleMania?
WWE held it’s post-Fastlane episode of SmackDown Live last night (Tues. March 12, 2019). The professional wrestling juggernaut continues to lay the groundwork for April’s Wrestlemania 35 pay-per-view (PPV) card from New Jersey. Following last night’s SDL and 205 Live tapings, WWE put on a dark match to send fans home happy.
In what could very well be a WrestleMania 35 preview, former WWE World Champs AJ Styles and Randy Orton went head-to-head. “The Phenomenal One” defeated “The Viper” to send fans home happy. Check out a photo from the match here:
Styles vs. Orton is one of several rumored match-ups expected to take place on this year’s “Show Of Shows.” WWE has already confirmed a number of matches for the event. Those include a No Holds Barred bout between Triple H and Batista, and the RAW Women’s Title main event between Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair. Check out the confirmed card for WrestleMania 35 thus far here:
RAW Women’s Championship: (C) Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair
Universal Championship: (C) Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins
Cruiserweight Championship: (C) Buddy Murphy vs. TBD
No Holds Barred: Triple H vs. Batista
Farewell Match: Kurt Angle vs. TBD
The Miz vs. Shane McMahon
What did you think about last night’s episode of SmackDown Live?
It looks like AJ Styles is expected to remain with WWE. Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that “The Phenomenal One” is expected to re-sign with the company when his current contract expires soon. Some fans expected Styles to consider giving All Elite Wrestling (AEW) a look.
Styles has a good relationship with AEW executive vice presidents The Young Bucks. AEW would obviously love to sign Styles to a deal if possible, but even they expect him to remain with WWE. WON’s report includes that Styles has never expressed any interest in AEW. He turns 42 this summer and enjoys the stability he has at this point in his career with WWE. As of this writing, Styles is not slated for a match at this weekend’s (Sun. March 10, 2019) Fastlane pay-per-view (PPV).
AJ Styles Denies He Signed New WWE Contract
It also remains to be seen who he will be facing at WrestleMania. However, it is being rumored that WWE could be angling for a bout between the former WWE Champion and Randy Orton for “The Show Of Shows” next month. WrestleMania 35 goes down from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, April 7, 2019. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more about Styles’ WWE contract situation.
Do you think Styles will ultimately re-sign with WWE?
There have been rumors that WWE is planning a program between Former WWE Champions Randy Orton and AJ Styles. The company has started planting seeds for this feud over the past two weeks of SmackDown Live.
WWE did a backstage segment during Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown Live episode in Wilkes-Barre, PA at the Mohegan Sun Arena with Orton and Styles.
With the card looking to be finalized for Sunday’s Fastlane pay-per-view event, it appears that this match won’t take place at the final big show before WrestleMania 35. Instead, WWE will save it for the biggest event of the year.
The two stars worked the dark match after Tuesday’s SmackDown Live where Styles picked up the win to send the crowd home happy. It was noted by fans in attendance that there were a lot of empty seats when this match took place.
Randy Orton just came out for the dark match… if you’re a lip reader he was asking ‘where the f—k is everybody?’ and pointed to his wrist tape like a watch ?. Facing AJ Styles in the last match of the night. #WWEWilkesBarre#SDLivepic.twitter.com/SiXRTYo3FG
— Bill Pritchard (WrestleZone.com) (@bpritchard152) March 6, 2019
This has been a match that Styles had wanted since joining the WWE back in 2016. During several interviews in the past in which he discussed the star he wants to face in the WWE, Styles has named Orton.
WWE presents the WrestleMania 35 pay-per-view event on Sunday, April 7, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ at MetLife Stadium that will air on the WWE Network.
WWE’s Smackdown brand held a live event Sunday night in Syracuse, New York. The main event of the show saw SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka retain against Charlotte Flair. Mustafa Ali, who returned to action over the weekend, was also in action.
AJ Styles faced WWE Champion Daniel Bryan on the card. It was said to be a very good match, but it’s what transpired after the match that’s getting buzz on social media. Styles addressed the crowd after the match and commented on Bryan’s hemp WWE title. He plans to be WWE Champion again one day and he won’t be carrying around Bryan’s eco-friendly championship.
Styles went to ringside and took a championship belt from a fan at ringside. That belt was mounted on a blue strap, similar to the Raw brand’s red Universal Championship. Styles showed it off to the crowd.
For now, Daniel Bryan is WWE Champion with his own custom title belt. When someone does inevitably defeat Bryan, it will be interesting to see if WWE reverts to the black strap or if they adopt this blue alternative.
Video: AJ Styles shows off Blue WWE Championship belt
AJ Styles is disputing a report that he is out of action due to a hernia.
Styles was kept of WWE live events this past weekend. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported this was because Styles recently suffered a hernia. The former WWE Champion took to social media to shoot down the report.
AJ Styles appeared on this week’s SmackDown Live and got physical, the first indication that Meltzer’s report was inaccurate.
The Phenomenal One is advertised to appear at this weekend’s WWE live events. As part of WWE’s annual Road to WrestleMania tour, the SmackDown brand will be in Dekalb, IL Saturday night and Fort Wayne, IN on Sunday.
Styles will be part of the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match on Sunday, February 17th. Daniel Bryan’s hemp and oak title will be on the line when he faces Styles, Randy Orton, Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy and Mustafa Ali inside the demonic structure.
As WWE heads fully into WrestleMania season, several Superstars are said to be dealing with injuries.
Seth Rollins Injury Update
Seth Rollins is said to be dealing with a back injury which will keep him from in-ring work for the next month. According to an update on Wrestling Observer Radio, however, his injury is not said to be serious enough that his WrestleMania match with Brock Lesnar is in jeopardy.
“Seth Rollins has a bad back,” Dave Meltzer said. “He was off TV tonight. They’re going to rest him up. I was told it’s not WrestleMania-threatening.”
Rollins could potentially miss the next PPV, however, as Elimination Chamber is scheduled for just 12 days from now.
Former WWE Champion, AJ Styles, has not wrestled since losing to Daniel Bryan at the Royal Rumble. His status appears to be up in the air at the moment.
“AJ has a hernia,” Meltzer continued. “I don’t know where that would stand as far as tomorrow goes but that’s the injury.”
Sasha Banks Injury Update
Banks wrestled for the first time since the Royal Rumble last night on RAW but her injury status is still not clear either. Her and Bayley defeated Nikki Cross and Alicia Fox but Banks was not overly active in the match.
“They did the entire match, she did not tag in a single time,” said Bryan Alvarez. “She laid on the ramp and then she laid outside the entire match. She did one spot where she yanked Nikki Cross into the post. Then Bayley got the win, so she never tagged in.”
Meltzer noted that if Banks was not cleared to compete she would not have been out there, however.
Becky Lynch also missed some house shows recently but her injuries are said to be entirely storyline based.
Seth Rollins is currently dealing with an undisclosed injury that will keep him out of action for the next several weeks. Rollins has not been medically cleared to wrestle, according to John Pollack of Post Wrestling.
“He is off live events for the time being and not expected to be used on Raw this Monday to recover,” Pollock reports. “We were told that he will only be doing promos with no physicality for the next month on television.”
WWE has yet to acknowledge the injury, but it’s believed the situation predates his recent beatdown at the hands of Brock Lesnar last week on Raw.
Rollins is scheduled to challenge for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 35 on Sunday, April 7th.
Other WWE Injury Updates
Sasha Banks was not cleared to compete following the Royal Rumble but she is expected to be for Monday. She’ll team with Bayley against Nikkie Cross and Alicia Fox in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship qualifier.
AJ Styles was said to be a little beat up but will be cleared for Smackdown on Tuesday.
Becky Lynch was not on a recent Smackdown house show but the knee injury she is dealing with is said to be entirely storyline based. She’ll be on Smackdown this week barring any new developments. Lynch was seen leaving the arena Tuesday on Smackdown before WWE medical personnel could evaluate her.
Last week AEW officials met with several television networks to discuss potential deals. There are reportedly several deals on the table, but AEW are deciding between “two legitimate deals.”
Wrestling Observer Radio reported the news that AEW were looking at two deals in particular. Dave Meltzer noted that the consensus backstage among those involved is that the final decision will be between the two aforementioned networks. We do not have the names of said networks at the time of writing.
Meltzer also claimed that not only were these great deals but that they were the best television deals any non-WWE wrestling programme will have secured since the days of WCW.
All Elite appears to be becoming more fleshed out in public by the day, and WWE has taken notice. As we reported last week WWE are scrambling to sign talent to new deals.
According to PWInsider, meetings were held backstage at recent at a SmackDown Live TV taping to address the situation. More specifically, wrestlers whose contracts are coming up in the next year or two had private meetings with management. This was to discuss signing long-term deals. The names of said talents are again not available at present but one of the biggest is AJ Styles, whose deal ends in April according to the Wrestling Observer.
AJ Styles says he has not signed a new WWE contract, despite reports to the contrary.
AJ Styles’ WWE contract is set to expire in just a few months. As one of the top wrestlers in the world, it’s no secret that WWE wants to keep him around. Especially with new competition from All Elite Wrestling (AEW), WWE will likely go to great lengths to keep the former world champion on their roster.
It was reported elsewhere over the weekend that Styles signed a a new 3-year deal with the company. Styles saw the rumor and said that’s news to him, since he knows nothing about the situation.
What was that? Are you sure? Please let me know the more because I know nothing about this. ? https://t.co/912V4k44uy
The belief going around is that while he is still in talks with WWE about a new deal, he’ll get offers from different companies like New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling.
Although he’ll receive offers from other promotions, many believe that Styles will remain with the WWE if they can get him a lighter schedule, which is something that he has expressed interest in in the past.
Something pretty interesting happened at yesterday’s (Sun. January 20, 2019) WWE live event from Omaha, Nebraska. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan faced off against AJ Styles inside the squared circle. At one point in the match, the middle rope in the ring broke. Styles stopped the match, got out of the ring, and got on the mic. He used the opportunity to poke fun at Bryan choosing not to eat meat:
“Hold on now, it looks like I’ve had too many delicious Omaha steaks!” Styles said. “But Daniel, you wouldn’t know anything about that, would ya? That’s alright, I don’t need this middle rope to kick your ass.”
Styles and Bryan have been feuding for the past several weeks on SmackDown Live. Bryan is set to defend his WWE Championship against “The Phenomenal One” at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view (PPV) this weekend (Sun. January 27, 2019). The event will go down from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Check out the card for the PPV below:
WWE Universal Championship: (C) Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor
WWE Championship: (C) Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles
30-Man Royal Rumble Match: R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, Mustafa Ali, John Cena, Andrade “Cien” Almas, Apollo Crews, Elias, Baron Corbin, Jinder Mahal, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Drew McIntyre, Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods, Jeff Hardy, Bobby Lashley, Kalisto, TBA
30-Woman Royal Rumble Match: Carmella, Naomi, Zelina Vega, Natalya, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Ember Moon, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Alicia Fox, Mickie James, TBA
WWE RAW Women’s Championship: (C) Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship: (C) Asuka vs. Becky Lynch
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship: (C) The Bar vs. Shane McMahon & The Miz
Fatal Four-Way Match For The WWE Cruiserweight Championship: (C) Buddy Murphy vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami
WWE United States Championship: (C) Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
If you’ve been watching SmackDown Live over the past few weeks, you’ll know that “The Planet’s Champion” Daniel Bryan has been on a tear recently about mass consumerism. AJ Styles held his rebuttal on this past week’s episode, encouraging people to spend their money how they deemed fit, and to eat whatever they wanted. Including hot dogs.
Bryan took issue with this and responded to the issue. He called out both AJ Styles and WWE in his efforts to highlight why people shouldn’t eat hot dogs.
He posted a video that demonstrates how hot dogs are actually made before encouraging people to turn vegan.
“Shame on both @AJStylesOrg and @Wwe for encouraging people to eat hotdogs. Pigs are smarter are smarter than dogs, yet you would all be up in arms if they did this to your pets. @peta2″
Seemingly remembering that WWE also has a younger fanbase, he tweeted a more kid-friendly follow-up. In this, Winnie The Pooh and Piglet have a frank discussion over the moral dilemma of killing pigs. Their conversation states that it is inhumane to kill pigs.
“If the previous video isn’t suitable for your children, show them this and then explain how hotdogs are made.”
Although taking a hardcore edge to his agenda, this probably isn’t too far from how Daniel Bryan truly feels. Interestingly, this gimmick harkens back to CM Punk and his straight-edge society, where WWE also cannibalized their Superstar’s real-life beliefs into the character itself.