Rhino and Bob Ryder were inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame prior to Saturday night’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view event. There were other names that were being discussed, including Styles and Monty Brown.
Taking to Twitter on Monday, the Phenomenal One revealed that it was his decision to not accept the offer. He wrote,
“I’m still an active wrestler…I hope. I made the decision not to go into the TNA HOF, not WWE. I appreciate TNA, but I don’t want to go into any HOF as long as I’m still active. My choice”
Styles is currently sidelined due to a mid-foot ligament sprain.
I’m still an active wrestler…I hope. I made the decision not to go into the TNA HOF, not WWE. I appreciate TNA, but I don’t want to go into any HOF as long as I’m still active. My choice https://t.co/lvXCMG4pki
AJ Styles was reportedly being considered for TNA’s Hall of Fame inductions at Bound For Glory on Saturday. The pay-per-view saw the inductions of late TNA co-founder Bob Ryder and Tag Team Champion Rhino, the latter who still wrestles with the company and appeared in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match during the Countdown to Bound For Glory.
“Fightful Select” has since reported that both AJ Styles and Monty Brown — known in WWE as Marcus Cor Von — were considered, with the former even prompting inquiry from TNA about an induction. “Fightful” has reported that the possibility was broached with WWE, who passed on the opportunity, though the reasoning is yet unclear. The reported belief within TNA is that it was due to Styles’ recent injury or active storyline.
There was also said to be a hope that he would be open to wrestling in TNA, but again it’s unclear if discussions were held. Styles made a non-WWE appearance recently when he returned to Japan to wrestle Naomichi Marufuji for NOAH in July, but sustained an ankle injury during “WWE SmackDown” on October 4. Reports have since emerged that there were plans to work a retirement and farewell tour storyline ahead of the injury and plans were still in place when they were waiting for the results of an MRI scan to assess the injury.
With WWE and TNA working together extensively throughout the year, sending stars either way, it’s still possible that a return to TNA — one-off or otherwise — could factor into such a storyline. The “Fightful” report doesn’t note anything further on the consideration of Brown, who wrestled with TNA throughout the 2000s before joining WWE. He has not wrestled a match since retiring in 2007.
On the October 4th episode of WWE SmackDown, AJ Styles returned to face off against Carmelo Hayes in a singles match. The match wound up being stopped after Styles suffered a “mid-foot ligament sprain.”
On Monday, the Phenomenal One took to Twitter to respond to a fan who claimed that he wasn’t really hurt. In his reply, Styles confirmed the reports that he’s currently dealing with a Lisfranc injury.
A Lisfranc injury is a foot injury that involves the Lisfranc joint complex, which is made up of the tarsometatarsal joint. It can range from mild to severe and can include a number of different types of injuries, such as sprains, subluxations, dislocations, and crush injuries.
Lisfranc injuries are uncommon and are often misdiagnosed or mismanaged. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important for favorable outcomes. Treatment options include non-operative (cast immobilization) or surgery, depending on the severity of the injury.
A new update regarding AJ Styles is a cause for concern.
Following a lengthy absence from TV, Styles made his return on the October 4th episode of SmackDown. Opening the show, the former World Champion was quickly interrupted by Carmelo Hayes, who made fun of Styles and said that he was past his prime. After being goaded into a match by LA Knight, Hayes vs. Styles was the opening match of the show.
Sadly the match did not go the way as many hoped as due to an ankle injury the match was stopped and Hayes won via forfeit. Later seen evaluated by the medical team and leaving the arena on crutches, backstage interviewer Jackie Redmond stated on social media that Styles had “suffered a “mid foot ligament sprain” also known as a Lisfranc injury” and would undergo further evaluation. The Phenomenal One also acknowledged this update, saying that he would keep everyone updated.
What’s The Latest On AJ Styles?
Following the injury, two updates have been provided with differing reports as to how serious the injury was. As reported by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select on October 5th, Styles is not injured and the spot was planned:
AJ Styles’ injury angle was planned an he’s fine.
However, the following day, Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer posted in his daily update that Styles is injured and will get an MRI to find out how serious the injury is:
The A.J. Styles injury on Friday was legit and not storyline. He’s getting an MRI done to see the severity of it.
On Saturday morning, WWE Superstars AJ Styles and IYO SKY participated in separate matches as part of their return to Japan.
During the Pro Wrestling NOAH Destination 2024 co-main event at Budokan Hall, AJ Styles faced off against NOAH Vice President Naomichi Marufuji. Styles emerged victorious after executing a Styles Clash.
Before joining WWE in 2016, Styles had been a regular competitor in Japan for NJPW, where he won the IWGP World Heavyweight Title twice.
Meanwhile, IYO SKY also participated in a co-main event at the Marigold Summer Destiny show at Sumo Hall. SKY emerged victorious against Utami Hayashishita after executing a tombstone piledriver and a moonsault.
Post-match, SKY expressed her gratitude to Hayashishita, WWE, and Marigold. She used her WWE entrance music for the match and wore a mask reminiscent of the one she wore at STARDOM before joining WWE.
You can check out some highlights from the matches below:
Pro Wrestling NOAH teased a major announcement throughout last week, and the details have finally come to light. “The Phenomenal One” AJ Styles will return to Japan this summer to face Naomichi Marufuji at the company’s Destination event on July 13. The news was revealed via a video announcement from this weekend’s NOAH Grand Ship event.
— プロレスリング・ノア ｜PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) June 16, 2024
“This is WWE Superstar, the Phenomenal AJ Styles, and I am here to announce that I will be coming to Japan to face Japanese legend Marufuji at the Budokon for the NOAH event on July 13,” Styles said in the announcement.
Styles revealed that he’s familiar with his opponent’s work and understands how talented he is as a performer. However, the WWE Superstar fully intends to pick up the victory, though he hopes it’s in a show-stealing match. “You’ve been doing this a long time, and your resume speaks for itself, but I’m not coming to Japan to lose. Let’s tear the house down on July 13.”
After LA Knight defied Randy Orton’s wishes, expressed near the beginning of Friday’s episode of “WWE SmackDown,” by coming down the ramp to thwart an attack from Solo Sikoa, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns took matters into his own hands, smashing Knight and hitting the ring to attack Orton.
AJ Styles Returns, Attacks Roman Reigns (But Also LA Knight) On WWE SmackDown Christian Bertrand/Shutterstock BY JON JORDAN/DEC. 15, 2023 10:41 PM EST After LA Knight defied Randy Orton’s wishes, expressed near the beginning of Friday’s episode of “WWE SmackDown,” by coming down the ramp to thwart an attack from Solo Sikoa, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns took matters into his own hands, smashing Knight and hitting the ring to attack Orton.
And then AJ Styles’ music hit.
“The Phenomenal One” emerged through the WWE Universe, dressed all in black, and hit “The Tribal Chief” with a Phenomenal Forearm. But what looked to be a simple evening up of the numbers game — as well as Styles exacting revenge by association for Sikoa’s taking him out last we saw him — turned sideways when the leader of The OC turned his attention toward Knight, obliterating him with a clothesline. Styles then exited the ring and walked past the battered Bloodline, all of whom ogled him awkwardly as he went to the back without any further interaction.
Orton, who challenged Reigns earlier in the night for the Universal Championship, looked confused as most onlookers probably felt throughout these events and once Knight came to off the mat, he looked equal parts perplexed and livid while staring down the departing Styles. Though there’s no official answer as of yet to Orton’s challenge, it seems reasonable that an Orton/Reigns bout will take place at Royal Rumble and now possibly Knight and Styles as well.
This week’s “WWE SmackDown” promises to be a star-studded show, with Randy Orton now an official member of the blue brand, while CM Punk will be making his first “SmackDown” appearance in nine years. However, it appears that another former WWE Champion is also expected to turn up, as AJ Styles is set to return to television on Friday, according to Dave Meltzer on the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio.”
Styles was originally supposed to be back on television a couple weeks ago, but those plans ended up being scrapped. However, Styles is now back in the mix, with the veteran star returning just in time to kickstart the Road to WrestleMania. The “Phenomenal One” has been out of action since the start of September, written off after he was attacked backstage. That took him out of the Fastlane tag team match where he was originally set to team with John Cena, eventually being replaced by LA Knight.
Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso were the men responsible for his attack, therefore Styles could end up plugged back into that storyline working against The Bloodline, but that is unknown. Roman Reigns currently doesn’t have an opponent for the upcoming Royal Rumble, and while Orton has been discussed for that role, the creative team is also considering other ideas — possibly opening the door for Styles. It remains to be seen if Styles’ return will also lead to The Good Brothers coming back, which could help with the numbers game against The Bloodline. However, Luke Gallows has been on the sidelines after getting his knee scoped, so it will likely depend on his recovery.
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