As seen on last night’s WWE SmackDown, WWE World Champion AJ Styles came out wearing a walking boot. Styles mentioned he has to wear the boot for a week and announced that he is not cleared to compete. No word yet on when James Ellsworth will get his WWE World Title shot but we’ll keep you updated.

As noted, Styles suffered a minor ankle injury at TLC on Sunday night. He was pulled from the ring at Monday’s live event in Tyler, Texas. It appears he is off this weekend’s live events but that hasn’t been confirmed.

You can see shots of AJ in his boot below:

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE World Champion AJ Styles suffered a minor right ankle injury during the main event of WWE TLC on Sunday night. Styles was then pulled from Monday’s live event in Tyler, TX as a precautionary measure.

It was noted on Wrestling Observer Radio today that Styles’ injury is not severe but there’s been no word yet on tonight’s SmackDown main event against James Ellsworth or the weekend WWE live events. The SmackDown live events are already limited but losing Styles would be another big blow to the roster.

Dave Meltzer noted on WOR that Styles may have suffered the injury doing the springboard 450 to Dean Ambrose through the table at TLC.

It appears as if Styles could possibly still be defending the WWE Championship against James Ellsworth on tonight’s Smackdown, as he posted below on Twitter:

Source: WrestlingINC

 

NBC Sports interviewed AJ Styles, who was promoting this Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view. Below are a couple of highlights:

Transitioning to the WWE style:

“It’s been easy. Every guy that I’ve worked here in the WWE has been great. I think they understand that it’s not about them, it’s not about me, it’s about the match and about making sure that people enjoy what they’re seeing because if we work together and put on a good product, we’ll keep those fans.”

If he is more comfortable as a heel:

“Absolutely. Regardless of whether John Cena gets booed, or whatever it is, he’s still the ultimate babyface. He’s still a huge piece in this giant puzzle that is the WWE. So for me to be the heel against John Cena was perfect for AJ Styles.

“It was perfect for what I needed to do,” Styles continued. “It was easier because I think everyone that’s been a great babyface, aside from John Cena, has been a heel at one point. I think being a better heel, a better bad guy, makes you a better babyface in the long run.”

The Club being split up:

“I was … ah … I was shocked,” Styles said when asked about the moment in the clip above. “Um, I knew that we were coming out with Club shirts and stuff like that, so I just assumed that we were going to be together.”

“We’re more than friends. Those guys are more like my family. I spent two years with them in Japan and we came together to the WWE, so it was a big shocker that we got broke up. You know, it’s just ah … really hard to explain, you know? These are the guys I ride with when we’re on the road. So, for the first time in I guess two years, we’re not on the same shows anymore. In fact, I don’t see them at all. Honestly, I literally just got done talking to them on the phone, that’s how close we still are.”

“It was something that happened that we’ve grown from. I mean they’re doing great on Raw. I’m doing great on SmackDown,” Styles beamed. “Now we look forward to those four Pay-Per-Views a year that we get to hang out and act like goofballs together.”

Styles also discussed the WWE schedule not being hard for him and more. You can read the full interview by clicking here.

Source: WrestlingINC

The WWE World Champion AJ Styles was faced with one of his toughest challenges yet Tuesday night after Smackdown Live … being locked out of his rental car — and Pro Wrestling Sheet got footage of the fire department making a run in to save the day.

It all went down outside of the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey when Styles realized his keys were stuck in the car as he attempted to leave the arena.

Much to his dismay, the champ was surrounded by around 50 fans as he made unsuccessful attempts to get back into the car himself using a coat hanger.

Luckily — after struggling for close to an hour — the Newark Fire Department showed up with a slim jim and helped the Phenomenal One get back into his ride. We’re told fans watching were jokingly asking AJ if this was the setup for an episode of Swerved.

It clearly wasn’t though, since his keys ended up being in the trunk.

Best part of the video is Styles taking a picture with the guy who unlocks his ride.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Check it out below:

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE is headed overseas after RAW next Monday for their tours in Australia and New Zealand. While the tours mostly consist of RAW Stars, SmackDown stars John Cena, AJ Styles, Erick Rowan, The Usos and Apollo Crews are also scheduled, so they won’t be on SmackDown on Tuesday. The scheduled dark match main event for Tuesday’s SmackDown in Bakersfield, CA is WWE Champion Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt.

Styles will be making an appearance in Auckland, New Zealand next Wednesday at Westfield St Lukes at 80 St Lukes Rd. Styles will be meeting fans and signing autographs. You can get more details here.