SEScoops

Tag: AJ Styles

  • AJ Styles Wrestles After WWE SmackDown Live

    AJ Styles Wrestles After WWE SmackDown Live

    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:

    https://twitter.com/bboibobble/status/1105663731248308225

    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?

  • AJ Styles WWE Contract Update

    AJ Styles WWE Contract Update

    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).

    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?

  • WWE Continues To Tease WrestleMania Match Between Top Stars

    WWE Continues To Tease WrestleMania Match Between Top Stars

    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.

    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.

  • AJ Styles Shows Of Blue WWE Championship Belt (Video)

    AJ Styles Shows Of Blue WWE Championship Belt (Video)

    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

    https://twitter.com/Walk_With_Joe/status/1102390228277493760

  • AJ Styles Disputes Report He Suffered A Hernia

    AJ Styles Disputes Report He Suffered A Hernia

    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.

    Styles also commented on the state of digital journalism.

    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.

  • Injury Updates For Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, and Sasha Banks

    Injury Updates For Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, and Sasha Banks

    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.

    AJ Styles Injury Update

    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 Injured, Update On Becky Lynch Missing Live Event

    Seth Rollins Injured, Update On Becky Lynch Missing Live Event

    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.

  • AEW Reportedly Deciding Between Two Television Deals

    AEW Reportedly Deciding Between Two Television Deals

    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 Denies He Signed New WWE Contract

    AJ Styles Denies He Signed New WWE Contract

    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.

    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.

  • Ring Rope Breaks During Styles vs. Bryan At WWE Live Event (Video)

    Ring Rope Breaks During Styles vs. Bryan At WWE Live Event (Video)

    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.”

    Both mean eventually used the rope as a weapon on one another during the match. Check that out here:

    https://twitter.com/briantheguppie/status/1087308013566873605

    Royal Rumble

    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
  • Daniel Bryan Bites Back At AJ Styles, WWE

    Daniel Bryan Bites Back At AJ Styles, WWE

    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.

  • Video: AJ Styles Impersonates Steve Austin After Smackdown

    Video: AJ Styles Impersonates Steve Austin After Smackdown

    Following Tuesday’s SmackDown Live and 205 Live tapings, WWE Champion Daniel Bryan defended his title against AJ Styles in a dark match. Bryan wound up retaining his title over “The Phenomenal One” via disqualification. However, after the match, Bryan cut a heel promo on the Alabama crowd.

    Bryan poked fun at their college football team for losing the National Championship game to Clemson in a blowout. Styles then came back and attacked Bryan before celebrating with a young fan. He then did an impersonation of WWE Hall Of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin.

    Styles asked the crowd if they want to see him hit Bryan with a Phenomenal Forearm, then give him a “Hell Yeah.”

    After the crowd chanted “Hell Yeah” Styles hit Bryan with the elbow. He then mimicked Austin’s beer drinking celebration with water bottles.

    Check out the video of AJ Styles paying homage to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin:

    https://twitter.com/R_Discussion/status/1085543320045191169

  • John Cena Wrestles Daniel Bryan In Steel Cage (Video), Replaces AJ Styles

    John Cena Wrestles Daniel Bryan In Steel Cage (Video), Replaces AJ Styles

    John Cena wrestled WWE Champion, Daniel Bryan, last night at a WWE house show in Unionville. Cena replaced a sick AJ Styles, who is said to be suffering from some type of cold or flu bug.

    The following Twitter user posted some videos of the steel cage match between Bryan and Cena.

    WWE Unionville Results

    Here are the results from last night’s house show in Unionville:

    1. Mustafa Ali defeated The Miz
    2. R-Truth and Carmella defeated Andrade Almas and Zelina Vega
    3. Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and Shelton Benjamin defeated The Colons and Aiden English
    4. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson defeated “Sanity” Eric Young and Killian Dain
    5. Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton
    6. Smackdown Tag Team Championships
      Sheamus and Cesaro defeated The Usos and “New Day” Kofi Kingston and Big E
    7. Jeff Hardy defeated Samoa Joe
    8. WWE Championship 
      Steel Cage 
      Daniel Bryan (c) defeated John Cena

    John Cena To Miss 2019 Royal Rumble

    John Cena may be back but he’s not going to be participating on WWE programming much. We reported yesterday that Cena’s upcoming schedule does not include the Royal Rumble:

    • 12/26: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
    • 12/27: Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, NY
    • 12/28: Royals Farms Arena, Baltimore, MD
    • 12/29: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
    • 12/30: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
    • 1/4: Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA
    • 1/5: Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, Tallahassee, FL
    • 1/6: Hertz Arena, Ft. Myers, FL
    • 1/7: Amway Center, Orlando, FL (WWE RAW)
    • 1/11: Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, WV
    • 1/12: Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, TN
    • 1/13: Von Braun Civic Center, Huntsville, AL
    • 1/14: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
  • AJ Styles Misses Another Live Event, Zack Ryder On Not Being Used

    AJ Styles Misses Another Live Event, Zack Ryder On Not Being Used

    AJ Styles Misses Another Live Event

    We noted before how the former WWE Champion AJ Styles missed a SmackDown brand Live Event on December 26th and The Miz and Mustafa Ali replaced Styles in his scheduled bout against Daniel Bryan.

    Styles didn’t appear on last night’s Live Event from Uniondale, New York and this time, John Cena replaced the Phenomenal One and wrestled the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan in a steel cage match.

    AJ has reportedly been dealing with flu which has caused some other stars to miss events in recent times as well though currently there is no news on how long he will stay out of action.

    Zack Ryder On Not Being Used

    While his year started with a feud on SmackDown Live, Zack Ryder has not been featured much on WWE Programming since then and he haven’t been part of any match on Raw since being drafted to the show back in April.

    The former Intercontinental Champion took on his twitter to comment on this as the year-end approaches and said that he is still here and always ready for a match:

    So far there is no news of WWE’s announcement of freshening things up affecting Zack’s status but with Royal Rumble approaching it’s possible that we may see him return to TV to announce his entry in coming weeks.

  • AJ Styles Dealing With Illness, WWE Fans Leave Live Event At Intermission (Photo)

    AJ Styles Dealing With Illness, WWE Fans Leave Live Event At Intermission (Photo)

    AJ Styles Dealing With Illness

    Some fans believed that former WWE Champion AJ Styles would emerge as Baron Corbin’s opponent for the WWE’s house show in Madison Square Garden last night. However, that wasn’t the case. The reason for the speculation was because Styles was abruptly removed from SmackDown’s live event the same day in Chicago.

    The Chicago crowd was told that Styles would not be appearing due to an illness. He was scheduled to face Daniel Bryan in a Steel Cage match for the WWE Championship. Instead, The Miz and Mustafa Ali were added to the match in Styles’ place. Fans were reportedly very into the bout, which saw Bryan retain his title when it was all said and done.

    Styles is still advertised for tonight’s live event in Uniondale, New York, but if he’s still sick, that could change.

    WWE Fans Leave Live Event At Intermission (Photo)

    Speaking of last night’s SmackDown live event in Chicago, it turns out some fans missed the main event of the night during intermission. Many fans began to leave after Bryan defended his title over Ali and Miz.

    They didn’t realize Asuka was main eventing with a title defense against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. WWE did not announce the main event ahead of time, thus the likely reason for the confusion. The following is a fan photo of the Chicago crowd leaving the arena after Bryan’s WWE Title defense:

    https://twitter.com/laurenbeeswax/status/1078134990444158976

  • AJ Styles Discusses Bringing In His Family For Storyline With Samoa Joe

    AJ Styles Discusses Bringing In His Family For Storyline With Samoa Joe

    Former WWE Champion AJ Styles had a great year with feuds with several WWE stars including Samoa Joe. In this storyline, WWE went in a different direction as they used his wife and daughter in this program that started at the SummerSlam pay-per-view event.

    Styles was recently interviewed by Wrestlezone’s Kevin Kellam to talk about several topics including his feud with Joe over the summer with the WWE Title on the line.

    He brought up how this is all his family has ever known that he does when it comes to his job and quite used to it, and used to what goes on. He continued by stating this is entertainment so it’s not a big deal to them and they couldn’t care less about their Dad being a pro wrestler.

    “The challenges aren’t the storylines, the challenges are not being there when they need you the most.” He brought up how they get older, their bodies are changing, there’s school stuff and having those sit-downs with them. Thus, Styles wants to make sure that he’s kind of Dad to take the time to make sure that they know that he loves them, and they can come to him with anything.

    You can listen to the full episode here:

    [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/547036647″ params=”color=ff5500″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

  • AJ Styles On Why He Doesn’t Feel Like A WWE Superstar Yet

    AJ Styles On Why He Doesn’t Feel Like A WWE Superstar Yet

    AJ Styles recently had an interview with WrestleZone, and during the talk, the former WWE Champion talked about a number of things including his recent feuds and more.

    While talking about his recent rivalry with Samoa Joe and how Joe brought up his family during contest, Styles revealed that his family is quite used to it.

    AJ said that they know it’s a form of entertainment and according to him while others think his kids might be going to school and bragging about him being a pro wrestler, they actually don’t care much about it.

    When the hosts started talking about everything Styles has achieved in WWE so far, the former Champion said that he feels like there’s one more level to reach before he can consider himself a WWE Superstar:

    “I feel like there’s one more level that I need to reach before I really feel like this ‘WWE Superstar’ and that’s really made a difference in this business. I’m not sure how I’m going to get there, but I’m going to continue to work hard and see what happens next.”

    Apart from this AJ Styles also talked about how the real challenge is not being with his family during important moments and more. You can check out his full interview here.

  • AJ Styles Attacks Vince McMahon On SmackDown Live

    AJ Styles Attacks Vince McMahon On SmackDown Live

    Just when everybody thought AJ Styles might be moving down the card for a while after losing the WWE Championship, he might have become part of the biggest storyline heading into the WrestleMania season.

    We noted before how the main event of this week’s episode of SmackDown Live saw Rusev defeating Shinsuke Nakamura to become the new United States Champion.

    However, this wasn’t the end of the show. The closing moments of the Christmas special episode of SmackDown Live saw AJ Styles meeting with Vince McMahon backstage.

    Mr. McMahon asked Styles who he is and the former TNA Star explained that he is a 2 Time WWE Champion and SmackDown Live is the ‘House that AJ Styles built’.

    The Boss then questioned Styles’ position asking if The Blue Branded Show is his house then why is Daniel Bryan holding the WWE Championship and competing at the show and not him.

    McMahon then encouraged AJ to channel his inner animal and the final moments of the segment saw Vince McMahon slapping the former Champion. Styles replied to this with a punch of his own.

    You can check out the full segment that took place on the pre-taped special of SmackDown Live in the video below:

  • AJ Styles On What NXT Call-Ups He’d Like To Face

    AJ Styles On What NXT Call-Ups He’d Like To Face

    WWE has accumulated a roster with some of the most talented professional wrestlers in the world. There are endless possible “dream matches” that WWE could make, and a lot of them involve former WWE Champion AJ Styles. “The Phenomenal One” is coming off a WWE Title loss to Daniel Bryan a few weeks ago. He failed to regain the title this past weekend at the Tables Ladders and Chairs (TLC) pay-per-view (PPV).

    Styles is one of the greatest in-ring performers the industry has ever seen. He has shared the ring with the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura, John Cena, Bryan, Samoa Joe, and so many more. However, there are plenty of up-and-coming talents on the NXT roster that would make for an interesting match-up with Styles as well. Recently, Styles was interviewed by WrestleZone to talk about possible matches with NXT stars.

    When asked what NXT call-ups interest him, Styles named EC3 as one of the names that stands out:

    “I’ve never been in the ring with EC3 before, so that will be fun to see a match with him. But, there are several that are coming up through NXT shortly, and there’s a number of them that I could have amazing matches with.”

    What do you think of a possible match between Styles and EC3?

  • Latest Contract Details for AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson

    Latest Contract Details for AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson

    It is being reported that three WWE Superstars’ contracts will be expiring in 2019. AJ Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows all joined WWE back in 2016 and their contracts are allegedly set to finish mid way through next year.

    As we’ve previously reported AJ Styles has been looking to work a reduced schedule. The in-ring veteran has been one of the linchpins of the Smackdown Live brand over the past few years and it is very likely that WWE will bend over backwards to keep the ‘Phenomenal One’ in the United States. PWInsider have claimed that Styles’ contract is set to expire in April 2019.

    Gallows and Anderson have seen a very different side of WWE’s creative. The former Bullet Club members are reportedly contracted until September in 2019, there are currently no concrete plans in place to re-sign the tag team.

    We also reported earlier this year that NJPW were interested in bringing back Gallows, Anderson and Shinsuke Nakamura. Whilst it is always difficult to judge if they are happy to re-sign with WWE the tag team could demand a high price to return to Japan. With New Japan possibly set to lose the Young Bucks and Cody Rhodes to an as yet unconfirmed ‘All Elite’ promotion NJPW could use the starpower.

     

  • Daniel Bryan Responds To AJ Styles’ Promo From Smackdown

    Daniel Bryan Responds To AJ Styles’ Promo From Smackdown

    Daniel Bryan wasn’t on Smackdown last night. Former WWE Champion AJ Styles remarked that perhaps Bryan has been watching Raw and was hoping to have a schedule which more closely resembles that of the Universal Champion’s. Styles also mentioned that Bryan was not on the WWE live event schedule this weekend either.

    Bryan responded to Styles’ comments earlier today on Twitter:

    “The old Daniel Bryan wrestled 227 matches in a calendar year, much more than AJ has ever done in his career. Shortly thereafter he needed neck surgery. The New Daniel Bryan is above that sort of masochism.”

    Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles at TLC

    Styles mentioned on Smackdown last night that he was not medically cleared to compete at Survivor Series or on Smackdown last week due to injuries suffered during Bryan’s post-match attack. Not long after losing the WWE Championship, however, Styles posted the following to Twitter:

    “The thing about being a real Champion, a reigning, DEFENDING champion is that any day someone can beat you. But holding the title is more than just wins and losses, it’s about who you are as a man. Daniel showed us that last night. And the receipt is coming. ”

    AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan Head-To-Head Stats

    Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles have met in single’s action 8 times, 3 in WWE, 3 in ROH, 1 in PWG, and once for IWA Mid-South. Outside of WWE, Styles leads the series 3-2. In WWE, they are tied at 1-1-1.

  • Smackdown Live! 11/27 Preview

    Smackdown Live! 11/27 Preview

    Tonight’s episode of Smackdown will take place inside the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. Smackdown Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch, has been confirmed to appear on the show.

    Only 3 segments have been announced for tonight’s episode. Although traditionally Smackdown announces more matches and segments ahead of time than Raw, that has not been the case in recent weeks.

    Edit: New Day vs The Bar in a non-title match has now also been announced for tonight.

    Smackdown 11/27 Preview

    Becky Lynch Returns to Smackdown

    The most reaction-garnering Superstar on the roster returns to Smackdown tonight. Although she is still not cleared to compete, Lynch has evidently been cleared to travel, which is a good sign.

    The last time Lynch was in a WWE ring she was hugging Charlotte Flair and picking her as her Survivor Series replacement. Since then, quite a bit has taken place on social media. It will be interesting to hear what Lynch might have to say regarding Rousey, Flair, and/or Nia tonight.

    AJ Styles Responds To Daniel Bryan

    Last week on Smackdown, Daniel Bryan delivered a promo explaining his actions from the week prior. Bryan won the WWE Championship after kicking AJ in the groin 2 weeks ago today. He said his dreams took over for him and that’s why he did what he did. Tonight, former champion AJ Styles will address both Bryan and the WWE Universe.

    Jeff Hardy Celebrates 20-Years in WWE

    Jeff Hardy and his brother Matt debuted in WWE in 1998. Tonight, Jeff Hardy celebrates the 20-year anniversary of the Hardyz in WWE. Such celebrations rarely take place on WWE programming without incident, however.

  • WWE Announces AJ Styles’ Return To SmackDown Live, Total Bellas Season Four Premiere Date

    WWE Announces AJ Styles’ Return To SmackDown Live, Total Bellas Season Four Premiere Date

    WWE Announces AJ Styles’ Return To SmackDown Live

    WWE has confirmed when former WWE Champion AJ Styles will make his return to the blue brand. He’s set to be featured in a segment on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live in Minneapolis, MN at the Target Center on the USA Network where he’ll address current WWE Champion Daniel Bryan’s actions.

    Styles has not been seen in two weeks on television after losing the title to Bryan, who turned heel by hitting a low blow to win the title. WWE has already announced that Styles will challenge Bryan for the WWE Title at the TLC pay-per-view event that takes place on Sunday, December 16th, 2018 in San Jose, California at the SAP Center.

    Total Bellas Season Four Premiere Date

    PWInsider.com is reporting that the fourth season of Total Bellas will debut on Sunday 1/20/19. Back in August, it was revealed that Total Bellas had been renewed for a fourth season by the E! Network. It should be noted that Nikki and Brie Bella also serve as Executive Producers of E!’s Total Bellas.

    Earlier this month, a new teaser trailer for the return of WWE’s Total Bellas had been released that features Nikki Bella going on a date with Peter Kraus from The Bachelorette. You can see that here.

  • Not Even AJ Styles Knows What The Future Holds

    Not Even AJ Styles Knows What The Future Holds

    There has been much speculation over what the future holds for AJ Styles when his WWE contract expires next year. With New Japan Pro Wrestling potentially interested in him, and alternatives such as All Elite Wrestling coming into play, the Phenomenal One has a number of choices before him.

    Turns out that not even AJ Styles is sure of what the future will hold for himself.

    Speaking candidly, Styles opened up during the filming of the WWE Network’s latest episode to their 365 series. The show followed and documented a year of AJ’s life with the company.

    When asked what was left for him to accomplish or achieve, he replied with:

    “What’s left for me? I don’t really know,” he confessed. “I always will find something new and I’m not sure what that new is quite yet, but at the same time, I’ve been doing this for 19 years and at what point do I go and call it quits? I don’t know what that is, but I can tell you I’m very proud of the year that I had.”

    Styles is at an interesting point in his WWE career having just lost the belt to Daniel Bryan prior to Survivor Series. This loss broke the impressive streak he was accruing. Having asked for a pared-back schedule akin to Randy Orton’s, it will be interesting to see if the WWE grant him his requests and, if not, how Styles will respond.

    What do you think of AJ’s response? More importantly, where would you like him to end up?

  • Information On AJ Styles’ Current WWE Status

    Information On AJ Styles’ Current WWE Status

    AJ Styles has proven himself a consistently popular superstar ever since his phenomenal debut during the 2016 Royal Rumble. He has had a plethora of main event matches and some fantastic feuds during his time within the WWE, breaking records and rubbing shoulders with the greats along the way.

    With supposed renewed interest from NJPW in bringing back a number of superstars that signed with the WWE, and AJ Styles’ contract due for renegotiation come April 2019, it’s fair to speculate over where the Phenomenal One will end up once his initial WWE contract has expired, especially as he just recently dropped the belt to Daniel Bryan, ending an impressive streak as WWE Champion.

    Commenting on the subject recently was Mike Johnson, who addressed Styles’ current status with the WWE.

    He observed that “[…] traditionally when someone’s deal is coming due they’re not really featured in a major way in a pay-per-view. Although there are exceptions to that,” he admitted. “Jeff Hardy being against CM Punk a few years ago and things of that nature, and Punk against John Cena where Punk could have left, so there are exceptions to the rule. It’s not a hard-rule.”

    “But one would think WWE will start to downplay him a little bit if they don’t lock him into a longer-term deal. Those discussions are on-going now so we’ll see what happens.”

    With real alternatives beginning to rear their head, it would be interesting to see where a number of these talents, including AJ, decide to call home in the future.

    What do you think? Would you prefer AJ Styles to stay in the WWE? Maybe go back to New Japan, or potentially even All Elite Wrestling?