‘It’s over’ – WWE legend ‘goes off script’ with jab at Triple H live on Netflix as exit talk grows
Plenty of signs are pointing towards an exit from WWE for the iconic AJ Styles.
The Phenomenal One has been a staple part of wrestling’s biggest entity since his dramatic debut at Royal Rumble in 2016.
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Since then, he’s made history as the first person to win the coveted WWE Championship outside of North America with his memorable victory over Jinder Mahal in Manchester, England in 2017.
Styles has won countless championships besides, featured at many a WrestleMania and even had the distinction of having the last match of The Undertaker’s career in 2020.
In that time he’s established himself as one of the company’s most popular and versatile performers but, at 48 years old, there are some who feel he’s gradually being edged out of the WWE spotlight in favour of a new wave of talent.
Styles enjoyed a hero’s welcome in France at the Raw after Clash in Paris earlier this month, the European crowd shaking the arena with their singing in support of the veteran in hope he’d dethrone Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio.
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Mysterio won out, though, leaving fans deflated, and some criticising the way WWE Head of Creative Triple H is handling the star.
That negativity reached as far as the Styles family, too. An Instagram post claiming the use of the wrestler in WWE was starting to “p*** off” one fan attracted the attention of Styles’ son, who posted: “you ain't the only one man.”
That comment has since been deleted, but the speculation grows over the future of one of wrestling’s best, Styles himself taking to social media with a mysterious post of an hourglass which many took to represent the gradual end to his WWE career.
Monday’s Raw on Netflix took things to a whole new extreme, with the Georgia native even appearing to reference the saga in an address to the live crowd in Milwaukee.
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The US broadcast of Raw was on a commercial break – a time wrestlers usually take to pose or interact with the crowd – but no such breaks air in the UK, so viewers on Netflix were able to watch in full as Styles, some have insisted, went off script with a jab at his boss.
What did AJ Styles say during WWE Raw ad break?
He told the fans: “It's like someone has orchestrated a way for me not to win anymore, not to have help. I'll let you make your own conclusions.
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“By the way, we are here and all over the world but we're in a commercial break and I'm telling you something you're probably not supposed to hear, but somebody doesn't want me here.”
Social media was left in no doubt that Styles was taking aim at Triple H, who assumed the on-screen mantle of WWE after the controversial departure of Vince McMahon.
“The biggest story here could be AJ Styles leaving,” remarked one user on X.
“I don't know what WWE wants to achieve. Styles has been an excellent performer for years. He needs to get his due.”
“Triple H vs AJ Styles?” asked another, while a third said: “Something really big is cooking up. Can't blame AJ for this, his booking as of lately sucks.”
One concerned fan said: “Well I guess it’s over now, thank you AJ,” with another reply adamant: “his son taking shots at HHH, him contemplating retirement and now this, I guess we are in for a good ride folks!”
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Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated had noted Styles’ latest WWE deal is due to expire early next year. Before signing it, the star is said to have carefully considered his options – his vast career outside of WWE prior to joining establishing him as a global powerhouse in his own right.
AJ Styles explored options outside of WWE
“Styles did indeed put feelers out about potential options outside of the company,” Alba wrote.
“Specifically, it was noted he was generating major interest on the convention circuit from promoters, and it was mentioned that the interest was mutual, and at least exploratory.”
WWE for their part are far from above leaning into real-life affairs to help blend storylines.
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In the hours after the show, Styles’ address to fans has been added to the company’s YouTube, packaged as him 'going off on Raw officials,' though some Netflix users have reported that the segment has since been removed from the broadcast.
Whatever is at play for AJ Styles might be unclear just now but, for as long as fans can catch a glimpse of him on screen, it will surely remain phenomenal.