Recent developments have sparked widespread speculation about the direction of AJ Styles‘ WWE farewell storyline. The unusual nature of a tirade Styles delivered during a commercial break before his match against El Americano left many fans questioning whether the segment was a genuine unscripted moment or part of a larger narrative crafted by WWE.
This segment, which appeared shoot-like, was addressed by Styles himself, but wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer has since clarified its purpose and hinted at how WWE might be steering this storyline toward a conclusion.
Dave Meltzer Explains the Unique Creative Direction of AJ Styles’ Current Plot
Dave Meltzer, speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, described the storyline as a “unique angle” that blends scripted drama with elements resembling real-life candidness. He mentioned that the storyline aligns with AJ Styles‘ cryptic retirement post shared recently, reflecting personal themes rather than a simple scripted feud.
Meltzer pointed out that although Styles’ promo resembled a shoot interview, it was entirely scripted and performed in the ring. He further disclosed that Styles had conveyed to him years ago a strong intention not to wrestle beyond the age of 40, a threshold that Styles has now surpassed, as he is currently 48 years old.
So they had AJ [Styles] do a promo, and AJ went out there and you know basically said that he has no friends here, kind of like complaining about booking and that Karl Anderson and [Luke] Gallows aren’t there, Michin is on SmackDown. I mean, it’s an interview that is being done, and I mean I can see all the different things that have happened; they are doing a Twitter [X], you know, social media storyline. AJ had the hourglass thing with the idea that, ‘My time is running out.’ Which, I mean, he has talked about this, I mean, I remember years ago we had AJ on one of our shows, and he said that, ‘I’m not going to be wrestling after the age of 40.’ And I think that I said, ‘Everyone says that.’ He goes, ‘Yeah, but I’m not going to wrestle after the age of 40.’ And you know, I think he’s 47, 48 now. So I’m, you know, his contract, you know, the word is out. His contract is up in February, and whatever the situation is, you know, obviously, it happened on television. It’s not a shoot.”
The storyline incorporates personal and professional frustrations, with Styles voicing grievances about the absence of former allies such as Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows and the relocation of Michin to SmackDown, reinforcing the narrative of isolation within WWE. The storyline also integrates social media elements, further blurring the lines between AJ Styles’ on-screen character and his real-life circumstances.
Contract Status and Potential Build-Up to a Farewell
Meltzer elaborated that Styles recently signed a short-term contract extension, which signals his wrestling tenure may be nearing its end. WWE’s narrative approach seems to capitalize on this real-world factor by weaving it into the storyline, adding layers of authenticity and tension.
[Okay.] But they’re doing some kind of storyline, and I think the idea was that they did it on the foreign show, not the US show. It’s kind of clever because if it was on the US show, everybody would go out storyline, but it’s like it was during the commercial. So now people are going like it wasn’t scripted. So it’s a unique angle, I don’t know what the angle is, but it is a unique angle that they are working on, something to do with him, you know, contract being up. And I don’t know how much longer he’s going to go because when he signed the new deal, it was a short-term deal. So that tells me that he’s not — when he signed the deal, that he wasn’t planning on wrestling much longer.So it may be a way to do, you know, kind of call attention to a farewell stuff. So yeah, I don’t know exactly what it all is, but that’s what happened. They, did a, he did an interview that was only a, only you could only see it if you were watching the international version of the show.
This international broadcast of the interview allowed WWE to experiment with a storyline that creates a buzz due to its ambiguous delivery and placement during commercial breaks. This method encourages speculation among viewers and cultivates a compelling narrative underpinned by AJ Styles’ real-life contract expiration in February.
The Backdrop of AJ Styles’ WWE Journey and Its Influence on Current Storytelling
AJ Styles’ history as a multi-time WWE Champion and respected veteran profoundly influences this storyline’s tone and reception. His well-documented career choices, such as openly stating he would retire before or around the age of 40, add weight to the current narrative surrounding his potential exit from WWE.
Moreover, the storyline acknowledges the fractured relationships and departures of former associates like Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, emphasizing a sense of abandonment and professional isolation that feeds into the emotional core of the angle.
Anticipating the Conclusion and Impact of the Farewell Arc
The current storyline surrounding AJ Styles’ WWE farewell is designed to elicit strong emotional responses, blending real-life sentiments of frustration and sadness with scripted tension. This approach keeps fans engaged while maintaining suspense about Styles’ future with the company.
Wrestling audiences can expect that as Styles’ contract nears expiration, WWE is likely to build toward a definitive farewell segment or match, capitalizing on the heightened drama introduced through this layered and ambiguous storyline.
As this unique angle unfolds internationally and gradually moves into more prominent shows, the wrestling world will watch closely to see if AJ Styles will solidify his WWE farewell in a way that honors his legacy and satisfies fan speculation.
