AJ Styles Delivers Cryptic Off-Air Promo, Ignites Contract Speculation
On the September 8, 2025 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, AJ Styles, known to fans as “The Phenomenal One”, delivered a striking and unscripted promo during a U.S. commercial break. The segment, captured in real-time by international viewers and later posted online by WWE, has fueled widespread discussion about his future with the company.
“Someone Doesn’t Want Me Here”
Styles opened by shifting from storyline to reality, stating:
“For the first time in my career, I’ve got no one watching my back. Gallows, Anderson—they’re not here. Michin, she’s on SmackDown. It’s like someone orchestrated a way for me not to win anymore. I’ll let you make your own conclusions.”
He then acknowledged his unusual circumstances:
“We are here, live all over the world—but for everybody else, it’s a commercial break. I’m telling you something you’re not supposed to hear: somebody doesn’t want me here.”
A Message via Physicality
Styles framed his upcoming match as a way to send a message to those he implied were working against him:
“What we’re going to do is you’re going to beat the piss out of Grande Americano tonight so that the person that doesn’t want me here can feel some of his pain—and mine also.”
He proceeded to defeat El Grande Americano in under ten minutes, reinforcing the tension in both storyline and reality.
Context & Fallout
The promo comes amid growing speculation over Styles’ WWE future:
His social media activity, including an Instagram hourglass post, hinted that “his time is not up yet,” prompting rumours about contract expiry and career direction.
Reports suggest he recently signed a one-year extension that keeps him under contract until February 2026, though he “put out feelers” to gauge opportunities elsewhere prior to re-signing.
Michin (formerly part of The OC alongside Styles) responded on X (Twitter) with a show of support:
“I’ll have your back forever, Uncle Al”
Meanwhile, Doc Gallows humorously replied:
“I’m going to start charging royalties for #pipebombs.”
Wrestling observer sources suggest this ‘pipebomb’ might be the beginnings of a hotly anticipated farewell storyline, or a hint of real-life contract tensions. Notably, while U.S. audiences missed the promo due to commercial cuts, international viewers saw it uninterrupted, a choice that has blurred lines between narrative and reality.
What’s Next?
At 48, Styles has previously declared he doesn’t intend to wrestle much beyond age 50. With the February expiry of his current deal approaching and this provocative segment generating buzz, fans are bracing for either an emotional farewell tour or a bold new chapter, potentially even tied to projects like Netflix’s kayfabe-inspired series Unreal.
Bottom Line: AJ Styles’ unscripted, emotionally charged promo has invigorated speculation about both his WWE booking and contract status. With supportive reactions from peers and renewed fan interest, the Phenomenal One may be building toward a major storyline, or perhaps stepping toward the end of an era.