AJ Styles’ Status for 1/3 WWE SmackDown During Television Absence Revealed

AJ Styles has been on the shelf after sustaining a severe Lisfranc injury during the October 4 episode of WWE SmackDown. He is currently on the path to recovery and while there is no indication of his in-ring return, his status for the January 3rd edition of SmackDown has been revealed.

According to PWInsider, it was reported that there have been no sightings of AJ Styles in Phoenix ahead of the January 3rd edition of SmackDown, which is taking place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

While The Phenomenal One has remained absent from WWE television, he did make an appearance backstage at TNA Final Resolution last year. Styles had a solid interaction with Matt Hardy during his visit to his former company but nothing more than that happened.

As for Styles’ in-ring return, there is no indication he will return anytime soon as his injury is a severe one, so we will have to wait and see whether AJ Styles will somehow be able to make his triumphant return before WrestleMania 41 this year, as nothing his certain about his future right now.

WWE SmackDown January 3, 2025 Full Card

• Cody Rhodes to appear
• WWE Women’s Championship: Nia Jax (c) vs. Naomi
• Non-Title Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Andrade

Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage over in our SmackDown results section.

Do you want to see AJ Styles make his in-ring return before WrestleMania 41 this year? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.