Credit: WWE.com
AJ Styles stirred the WWE universe with a provocative promo on the September 8, 2025 edition of WWE Raw, boldly naming former WWE stars and hinting at backstage adversity. During a rare commercial break segment, Styles used his platform to send a chilling message about feeling isolated and unwelcome within the company.
A Raw Pipebomb: AJ Styles Calls Out WWE’s Hidden Agenda
Before his singles bout with El Grande Americano, AJ Styles took advantage of a commercial break to speak directly and candidly to fans watching around the globe. “For the first time in my career, I’ve got no one watching my back,” Styles stated, referencing the absence of his longtime allies Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, who were released from WWE earlier in the year. He also mentioned Michin, currently on SmackDown, as further evidence that his support system had dwindled.
Styles insinuated that this wasn’t merely circumstance but part of an orchestrated effort to marginalize him. “It’s like someone orchestrated a way for me not to win anymore, not to have help. I’ll let you make your own conclusions… Somebody doesn’t want me here,” he added, fueling intense speculation about power struggles behind the scenes.
Naming Names: Gallows, Anderson, and the Fallout
Bringing up ex-WWE stars Gallows and Anderson during the promo added layers of intrigue. Their absence from Raw’s current roster marked a sharp departure from the Bullet Club faction’s past prominence. By explicitly name-dropping them and their absence Styles connected his current predicament to broader backstage shakeups.
A WWE insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, told us:
“AJ is known to speak his mind. This promo was part shoot a nod to creative frustrations but also part work to build his character’s edge. WWE officials were caught off guard by the bluntness of his remarks, and there’s chatter about potential repercussions backstage.”
The Impact: Fans React and Theories Abound
The WWE crowd and online wrestling community quickly picked up on the promo’s tone, debating whether Styles was blowing off steam about creative direction or dropping a genuine backstage “pipebomb.”
Social media exploded with clips of Styles flipping the Bullet Club hand gesture and declaring his intent to take out El Grande Americano “to make the person who doesn’t want me here feel my pain.” This meta-narrative blurred lines between storyline and reality, drawing comparisons to historic “worked shoot” angles that shook WWE’s status quo.
AJ Styles Seizes Victory Amidst Turmoil
Despite the tensions hinted at in the promo, Styles entered the ring full force, defeating El Grande Americano to secure his first singles win in two weeks. This victory underscored his resilience and status as a mainstay performer amid rumors of being sidelined.
“Beating El Grande Americano tonight wasn’t just about the win,” Styles later remarked backstage. “It’s to show that nobody’s pushing me out of here without a fight.”
What’s Next for AJ Styles and WWE?
Sources close to WWE creative suggest Styles’ promo could signify a forthcoming character evolution perhaps darker and more rebellious, akin to previous pipebomb angles that propelled superstars to renewed stardom.
One wrestling insider speculated, “WWE might be testing the waters to see how fans respond to AJ pushing back against the system. If Styles’ frustrations are genuine, they could turn this into a compelling storyline, or it might lead to real changes in how he’s used.”
With Gallows and Anderson gone and Michin separated on another brand, Styles’ path looks uncertain but full of dramatic potential.
Final Thoughts
AJ Styles’ unexpected raw promo has unquestionably injected fresh tension into WWE’s narrative fabric. By openly discussing the absence of key allies and proclaiming “somebody doesn’t want me here,” Styles brought a rare moment of realness and intrigue to Raw’s traditionally scripted environment.
As a trusted voice in the wrestling community noted, “This promo reminded everyone why AJ Styles has earned ‘Phenomenal’ in his moniker he’s fearless in the ring and unafraid to confront what’s really going on, whether on or off the air.”
WWE fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see how this storyline unfolds and whether it triggers any meaningful shifts backstage or in the ring for the Phenomenal One.