AJ Styles has returned to WWE SmackDown but has embraced his darker side.
'The Phenomenal One' has been sidelined since the September 22, 2023, episode of SmackDown. During that show it was announced that Styles would be John Cena's tag-team partner for the Fastlane tag-team match against Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa. However, later on that night, Styles was brutally attacked by Uso and Sikoa. It was LA Knight who went on to replace the former WWE Champion and teamed up with Cena to defeat The Bloodline at Fastlane.
Reports recently suggested that Styles was supposed to return a few weeks ago but that didn't happen. It was on last night's edition of SmackDown that 'The Phenomenal One' returned.
On Friday, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns made his first WWE appearance since Crown Jewel on SmackDown. He said that it's 'promotion season' and announced that Solo Sikoa is the deserving heir to his title of Tribal Chief of The Bloodline.
Randy Orton then interrupted him and challenged Reigns to a title match at next month's Royal Rumble. However, 'The Tribal Chief' refused to accept the challenge. It was then announced that 'The Viper' will battle Jimmy Uso in the main event of SmackDown.
Orton defeated Uso with the help of LA Knight, who evened the odds when Solo Sikoa came down to the ring. Reigns ultimately took a cheap shot at LA Knight from behind and The Bloodline continued the attack on them.
AJ Styles returns
'The Phenomenal One' made a huge comeback and he was already in the ring waiting to hit Reigns with a Phenomenal Forearm. He executed it and took down 'The Head of The Table.' However, the returning superstar shocked the fans with his actions when he assaulted LA Knight from behind. He had a staredown with Orton before leaving the ring.
As it seems, LA Knight and AJ Styles are likely to have a feud soon.