AJ Styles to announce WWE exit, Another character change on the cards? - 4 reasons why The Phenomenal One's injury has seemingly turned into an angle

AJ Styles made his long-awaited WWE return on last week's SmackDown, ending a three-month hiatus. The Phenomenal One acted like a babyface before being interrupted by Carmelo Hayes to set up a match later in the night. The bout got off to a hot start but was ultimately short-lived, ending in a stoppage when Styles seemingly injured his ankle executing an Ushigoroshi.

Fans feared for the worst, with some speculating that the veteran was set for another long layoff. However, given the way it was handled on screen, the Stamford-based promotion seems to be making an angle out of a real setback. This begs the question; why is the two-time WWE World Champion's injury being given so much spotlight?

Here are four possible reasons why AJ Styles' injury is potentially becoming a storyline on WWE SmackDown:

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#4 To write him properly off WWE SmackDown again

AJ Styles only just returned to WWE SmackDown after more than three months away. Fans missed The Phenomenal One greatly during his absence and were incredibly excited to have him back. Alas, his injury threatens to bring the return to an anticlimactic end, stopping any momentum he might have come back to.

Turning his injury into an angle is a better way to write him off television while he recovers, giving him a ready-made return feud. It is also beneficial to Carmelo Hayes, who can generate heel heat from boasting about putting Styles on the shelf. The Phenomenal One can then defeat Melo upon recovery, with the setback having worked to both men's advantage.

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#3 AJ Styles' injury may not be serious

When the referee called for a stoppage to AJ Styles' return match on WWE SmackDown, fans were confused. Some wondered whether it was a pre-planned angle, while others feared The Phenomenal One was incapacitated for real and would be set for another long absence. However, he was able to limp backstage unsupported, suggesting that it wasn't too serious.

This may be what prompted Triple H and his creative team to make an angle out of it, building up to the two-time world champion's impending return. Wrestling is often at its best when real life is infused into storylines, and Styles' injury has the potential to birth a compelling program, whether one of self-doubt, redemption, revenge, or any other direction the company will see fit.

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#2 AJ Styles' WWE SmackDown injury angle may be the beginning of a real retirement storyline

According to multiple reports, AJ Styles' current WWE contract may be expiring in late 2024 or early 2025. The Phenomenal One has been with the company for almost nine years, becoming a Grand Slam Champion and headlining WrestleMania, among many other achievements. He has done it all in the Stamford-based promotion and is now used as a veteran to elevate other talent.

On the off chance that he has informed the company of his desire to see out his contract and go elsewhere, the injury angle could be the beginning of an exit storyline. The 47-year-old could be presented as a veteran with whom father time is catching up, forcing him to hang it up, but not before having one final epic run to prove he's still got it.

It could be something special, similar to Edge's final match in Toronto or John Cena's upcoming retirement tour.

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#1 AJ Styles' injury could be part of a redemption storyline

AJ Styles has undergone a mini career resurgence in WWE this year. The Champ That Runs The Camp had one of the better WrestleMania feuds followed by much-acclaimed post-mania battles with Cody Rhodes, re-establishing himself as one of the very best in-ring performers in the world.

On top of his technical excellence, he has made his feuds more compelling by acknowledging his advancing age and using it in storylines. Against The American Nightmare, in particular, Styles injected urgency by leaning on the fact that time was running out for him to become world champion again.

The injury angle could follow a similar vein, taking fans on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as they watch an all-time great try to rediscover himself as his body fails him.