AJ Styles Promises To Rebuild His Legacy During 10/4 WWE SmackDown Return

The October 4 WWE SmackDown took place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. With Bad Blood scheduled for October 5, the event featured several important matches, and AJ Styles also made his highly-anticipated return.

WWE fans didn’t have to wait long to see AJ Styles’ return to the blue brand. He kicked off the show this week. Styles received a lot of love from the Nashville crowd, and he was introduced by country music star Hardy.

After soaking up a ton of chants and cheers, AJ Styles said that he missed the fans so much, and “it’s only fitting that I’m here in Nashville, Tennessee tonight. This is where it all started for AJ Styles.” After all, that’s where he laid down his TNA roots. AJ Styles said that he’s not there to dwell on the past, he’s there to rebuild his legacy.

Then he said that a lot of guys in the back need to be reminded that this is the house that AJ Styles built. This was followed by Carmelo Hayes coming out, and they started bantering about LA Knight, and how Carmelo wants to take the US Title. AJ Styles tried to talk some sense into him, but Hayes didn’t want to take advice from “quitters.” The two continued throwing shade at each other until Styles challenged Hayes to a match, but he didn’t take it.

LA Knight came out after that, and he received a warm welcome from the fans. Knight called out Carmelo, and then he shaded AJ Styles for not retiring like he said he was going to. Then Knight told Carmelo Hayes that if he can beat AJ Styles, then he’ll get him a US Title match.

This timing of AJ Styles’ return is interesting, because it was just reported that AJ Styles’ WWE contract is expiring sooner than later. Before his hiatus, AJ Styles expressed his desire for another major title reign, specifically targeting the Undisputed WWE Championship before he retires.

Although it remains uncertain what plans WWE has for him in the future, he is likely to be involved in a storyline that captures attention. Styles had the entire month of September off, with his last match taking place on August 29, 2024, at a WWE Live event during the Road to Bash in Berlin tour at Festhalle in Frankfurt, where he lost a WWE Undisputed Title match against Cody Rhodes.

We will have to see what AJ Styles does next. You can find out more on the Phenomenal One at our official AJ Styles news hub.