AJ Styles' WWE SmackDown Injury Part Of An Angle

During a match with Carmelo Hayes on SmackDown, AJ Styles looked as though he took a nasty landing after a moonsault, followed up by his leg buckling underneath him when delivering a backbreaker. This led to Hayes winning the match via referee stoppage as Styles was helped to the back. Due to this unconventional finish, question marks were raised as to whether or not Styles was actually injured.

His job selling the injury was very well done, as Fightful Select have reported that the injury was a work. It is noted that the injury was planned and that he is fine. 

It was reported in recent weeks that AJ Styles’ WWE contract is set to expire in the near future, with it being slated that it will run down either by the end of this year or at the start of 2025. He returned after a several month absence on the October 4 edition of SmackDown, last seen wrestling Naomichi Marufuji in Pro Wrestling NOAH, and prior to that losing at Clash At The Castle: Scotland in an “I Quit” match against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.