Absent Star Scheduled For WWE SmackDown Return

An absent talent will make their return to WWE on Friday night's edition of SmackDown from Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, AJ Styles is scheduled for the SmackDown taping on August 9. What Styles will be doing on the show is unknown.

The former WWE Champion has been away from WWE programming since he lost an I Quit Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes at Clash at the Castle in mid-June. A post-match angle saw Cody hit Styles with the steel steps even though Styles quit the match to avoid being clocked with the stairs. The two talents had been feuding in the aftermath of WrestleMania 40, with Styles also unsuccessfully challenging for the Undisputed WWE Title at Backlash. 

While he has been off WWE TV, AJ Styles has remained busy. He defeated Naomichi Marufuji at Pro Wrestling NOAH Destination 2024 and Styles then challenged Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Title three more times at WWE's house show tour of Japan in late July. 

Also planned for Friday's SmackDown is Roman Reigns, who will make his first appearance on the blue brand since WrestleMania 40. Reigns made his return in the main event of SummerSlam, taking out Solo Sikoa. WWE have made a change to Reigns' status since his return.