AJ Styles did a shoot-style promo on last night’s episode of WWE RAW, where he stated that someone in the company wanted him to lose and had manipulated the situation to ensure that Styles had no one watching his back.
While he did not state whether it was a wrestler or an official, we made a list of five names that could be behind this.
[Please note that the names and scenarios may seem unrealistic, as these are fantasy bookings.]
#5. TKO Group and Triple H Make AJ Styles’ Last Run In The WWE A Living Hell
Like any corporate entity, the promotion would like to control the narrative when it comes to its employees. The Phenomenal One chose to change this by announcing on multiple occasions that he wants to retire soon. The breaking point was the cryptic post he shared on his Instagram recently, teasing retirement.
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The situation plays out as TKO Group and The Game have big plans for Styles on his return, thinking he was a lifer or someone they could rely on anytime to put a younger talent over. But their plans met a massive hurdle when the former WWE Champion signed only a short-term deal. Now that his contract is set to expire soon, they planned to make it a miserable one.
The first salvo was the firing of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, followed by transfer of Michin to SmackDown. This story could play out with Triple H assigning someone to go after him, possibly Aleister Black?
Black’s return has not picked up momentum yet, making this the perfect opportunity to push him. The two could have a series of matches where both the stars trade wins, culminating at next year’s Royal Rumble, with the former NXT Champion being the one to retire Styles.
#4. The Rock Does Not Like What AJ Styles Built
At Wrestlepalooza, the 3-time United States Champion gets his last chance to win another Intercontinental Title. Styles overcomes the odds, interferences, and is set to win, when everything blacks out and we can hear a familiar phrase over the speakers, “If You Smell….”
Yes! It is The Rock, he comes down, puts a beating on Styles, and lets a puzzled Dominik Mysterio get the pin to retain his title. The next week on RAW, The Final Boss explains his actions, saying that he took great offense to the fact that Styles called SmackDown, “The house that AJ Styles built.” Fans may remember The Great One used to lay claim to SmackDown being his show.
The way this story could play out is that The Brahma Bull could unleash a returning Gunther to set Styles right. The Ring General could also want to stake his claim in retiring another legend and build on his already impressive resume.
#3. Nick Aldis Ignites An Old Rivalry In WWE
The Phenomenal One is in pursuit of finding out who is messing with him, only to get his requests denied. He even approaches Triple H, who tells him he can’t name the person behind it all, but says that the situation could improve if he goes back to SmackDown, seeing no way out, Styles reluctantly agrees.
Midway through the show, Nick Aldis comes out to the ring and announces that AJ Styles has returned to his home. The crowd goes wild, and Aldis promises Styles the world, but the two-time WWE Champion says that he has decided to pursue the Intercontinental Title and stay on RAW.
We can see Aldis flustered, but he says, “It’s okay,” and goes in for a hug, only to take Styles out and put a beating on him, to the crowd’s shock. Michin then tries to run out to help, but Aldis threatens her with suspension if she steps into the ring. The General Manager then explains that he had made plans long ago to take revenge for the time when the two were in TNA and Styles had humiliated him.
He said he was the one who drove Mr. TNA out of that promotion, and was willing to do it again once more and this was the perfect time to do it.
This could be a great storyline to set up Nick Aldis’ return to in-ring action and could also solidify him as a GM who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty if needed.
#2. Sheamus Sees AJ Styles Destroying His WWE Dream
It is no secret that Sheamus wants to win the Intercontinental Championship, as it is the only title he has yet to win and make himself a Grand Slam Champion in the Stamford-based promotion.
The Irish grappler sees Styles as an obstacle in his path because he thinks Dirty Dom is an opponent he can beat. Sheamus is known to be close to Triple H, a fact he leverages to get his way. Sheamus could interfere during Styles’ match at WrestlePalooza or Crown Jewel, and on the next episode of RAW, the two could have a faceoff.
The Irishman explains to The Phenomenal One that it was not personal and that he was just in The Celtic Warrior’s path, and also makes a snide remark about Styles being on his way out. This angers the former TNA star, who starts a feud with him. WWE could book this to be like the Best of Seven series he had with Cesaro.
The final bout could be at Royal Rumble 2026, where the winner of the rubber match gets a shot at Dirty Dom and his title.
This could culminate with AJ Styles putting Sheamus over, allowing him to finally achieve his dream at Elimination Chamber.
#1. Rey Mysterio Sacrifices AJ Styles For Family
In this scenario, we have Dominik at Worlds Collide, Styles appears again, and just when he is about to interfere, we see Rey Mysterio drag him away and beat him down.
Mysterio explains that while he may not agree with his son, he was still family, and as any father would do, he would not let anything stop his son from achieving a milestone, something even he could not do when he was in AAA. The blow-off could lead to Dirty Dom, actually considering breaking away from The Judgement Day.
The final moment comes when Styles and Dirty Dom have a match, and Dominik Mysterio, while initially appearing to ensure Styles loses by unfair means, has a change of heart, seeing what his father was doing for him. This angers Liv Morgan, who slaps him, but he pushes her away. This creates enough of a distraction for Styles to capitalize on and secure the win.
Dom loses the match but gains the love of his father again, and they have their separate storyline of going against The Judgment Day, and Styles can retire on a high note.
What do you think of these fantasy bookings? Share your thoughts with us on X/Twitter or Facebook.