WWE Could Be Planting Seeds for Major AJ Styles Angle After Off-Air Promo

AJ Styles’ off-air promo during the September 8 episode of WWE RAW is getting a second life—thanks to a surprising international-only moment and new details from Wrestling Observer Radio.

According to Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer, WWE may be planting the seeds for a farewell angle, and the promo might have more to do with real-life contract drama than fans first realized.

During the show, most U.S. viewers didn’t catch the promo at all, since it aired during a commercial break. But as Meltzer explained, that wasn’t the case overseas.

“Okay, so what happened was—in the United States, we have commercials. Whenever they do the breaks in foreign countries, they do not have the commercials. They have guys doing promos or video packages or things like that.”

Advertising

Advertising

And that’s exactly when AJ Styles cut his now-viral segment. Meltzer detailed what he said:

“They had AJ do a promo, and AJ went out there and basically said that he has no friends here. And he’s, you know, kind of, kind of like complaining about booking and that Carl Anderson and Gallows aren’t there and Meechin’s on SmackDown.”

This wasn’t a one-off comment. It connects to a series of cryptic clues AJ has been dropping, including the hourglass imagery and subtle references to being pushed aside. Meltzer drew attention to the bigger picture.

“They’re doing this social media storyline. AJ had the hourglass thing with the idea that ‘my time is running out.’”

The biggest revelation? Styles’ contract is reportedly up in just a few months.

“So, you know, his contract—the word is out—his contract is up in February.”

Meltzer noted that Styles has publicly said in the past he wouldn’t wrestle into his late 40s, which makes this angle feel all the more personal.

“He’s talked about this… he said, ‘I’m not going to be wrestling after the age of 40.’… I think he’s 47, 48 now.”

The decision to only air the promo internationally may have been a calculated move by WWE to keep fans guessing.

“If it was on the U.S. show, everybody would go, ‘It’s a storyline.’ But because it was during the commercial, now people are going, ‘Wait, that wasn’t scripted?’”

While the promo has since been posted to WWE’s official channels with the title “AJ Styles GOES OFF on Monday Night Raw officials,” the true intent remains unclear. Is this leading to a retirement? A renewed push? Or a swerve tied to his contract?

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.