Last night’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown brought a significant revelation as the leader of a prominent WWE faction, AJ Styles, was officially announced as no longer affiliated with the group.

During the broadcast, Wade Barrett made it clear that AJ Styles has parted ways with The OC, consisting of Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Michin. This departure has been hinted at for several weeks since AJ’s return to the ring, but this was the first explicit confirmation. The discord between Styles and The OC has been evident for months, marking a significant shift in storyline dynamics.

Looking ahead, The OC seems poised to continue as a cohesive unit, as indicated by their mention in a post-show video featuring Cedric Alexander and Ashante “Thee Adonis.” Despite being absent from television since August, WWE creative appears to have plans for their future trajectory. The trio, comprising Styles, Gallows, and Anderson, last showcased their prowess in December during house shows, where they clashed with opponents like Pretty Deadly and Grayson Waller, as well as The Street Profits.

In the wake of his departure from The OC, AJ Styles has been propelled into the spotlight as a prominent singles competitor. His recent involvement in high-stakes matches, such as the Fatal 4-Way at the Royal Rumble alongside LA Knight and Randy Orton, underscores his status as a top-tier performer. With his newfound independence, Styles looks set to carve out his own path in WWE storylines, potentially pursuing championship glory in the near future.

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Tags: AJ Styles
Steve Carrier

Steve is the Founder of RingsideNews. He has been writing about professional wrestling since 1996. He first got into website development at the time and has been focusing on bringing his readers the best professional wrestling news at it's highest quality.

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