The reason AJ Styles missed last night’s SmackDown, despite being featured on official advertising and a report that he would be returning, has been revealed.
AJ Styles has been absent from WWE programming for well over two months, last appearing on the September 22nd edition of SmackDown where he was taken out backstage by Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline. Styles was set to team with John Cena at WWE Fastlane and was later replaced by LA Knight.
However, it seemed that the former WWE Champion’s return was finally upon us after Dave Meltzer reported earlier this week that Styles’ return was planned for this week’s Tribute To The Troops special episode of SmackDown. Styles also featured in a pop-up advertisement for the event on WWE.com.
However, last night’s episode came and went with no appearance from The Phenomenal One. PWInsider has since reported the reason behind his absence, noting that Styles’ return was planned for the event a few weeks ago but it had since been delayed.
The outlet went on to add that the delay is simply down to a creative decision and that the 46-year-old could return to WWE programming “any week now.”
AJ Styles Was Originally Set To Return In November
This isn’t the first time AJ Styles’ return from his ongoing WWE hiatus has been delayed as it was previously reported that he was set to return to the company in November.
Styles was purportedly planned to return on the November 10th edition of SmackDown, the first SmackDown following WWE Crown Jewel. He was also set to be regularly featured on the blue brand following that episode but he did not appear and has yet to almost a month later.