Several former WWE talents have voiced their thoughts on the lingering storylines and missed opportunities involving the iconic AJ Styles, suggesting that their chapter with the “Phenomenal One” might remain incomplete for the foreseeable future. Luke Gallows (also known as Doc Gallows) and Karl Anderson, two longtime friends and former WWE Tag Team Champions, are among those who feel their narrative with AJ Styles is still open-ended.
The Club’s Legacy Left Hanging in WWE
Gallows and Anderson, who made a significant impact in WWE between 2016 and 2020, first forged their alliance with AJ Styles during their time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as part of the legendary Bullet Club faction. This connection generated massive anticipation when all three transitioned to WWE, reuniting as The Club and leading to championship success, including two RAW Tag Team Title reigns for Gallows and Anderson.
However, the trio’s WWE run came to an abrupt halt when WWE released Gallows and Anderson in April 2020 amid company-wide budget cuts triggered by the pandemic. At that time, AJ Styles publicly expressed his deep disappointment over their departure, calling Gallows and Anderson his “brothers” and lamenting that he couldn’t protect them from release. He described this as a painful moment, emphasizing the familial bond they shared and the unfinished business they had as a unit[3].
Following their departure from WWE, Karl Anderson extended his contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling but did not close the door on the possibility of returning to WWE to conclude the story with The Club. In a Q&A with Sports Illustrated, Anderson noted that despite commitments abroad, the storyline with AJ Styles and Finn Balor remains alive and unfinished. He acknowledged a “built-in story” with The Bullet Club, hinting at the value and potential in rekindling that alliance either on WWE or elsewhere[1].
Why the Story Remains Unfinished
The break-up of The Club in WWE did not stem from a lack of in-ring capability or fan interest, but rather from WWE’s creative directions and roster changes. AJ Styles, Gallows, and Anderson’s paths diverged after WWE moved away from focusing on their trio. A notable moment occurred early in their WWE tenure when The Club’s alliance was teased but never fully realized, culminating in AJ Styles publicly distancing himself from Gallows and Anderson on-screen, effectively disbanding the group[5].
Backstage sources close to WWE revealed that creative struggles to re-integrate The Club into compelling storylines and the company’s shifting tag team divisions contributed to the story being shelved. According to one WWE insider, “There was always talk about bringing The Club back together, but timing and other priorities often got in the way. It felt like the story was paused indefinitely rather than truly ended.” This sentiment reflects the frustrations voiced by many fans and former talent alike[1][4].
Finn Balor’s Role Adds Another Layer of Complexity
Finn Balor, another former Bullet Club member and longtime WWE mainstay, recently reignited his connection to AJ Styles on WWE programming. In a recent episode of RAW, after his faction The Judgment Day defeated Rey Mysterio and Matt Riddle, Balor extended an invitation to Styles to join his group—a move Styles politely declined. This moment signaled a potential new direction for Styles but simultaneously underscored that the original Bullet Club storyline remains unresolved[1][6].
The dynamic between Balor, Styles, Gallows, and Anderson continues to be fertile ground for storylines because of their shared history and chemistry both inside and outside WWE. Industry observers speculate that WWE might revisit this once circumstances align, but as of now, no concrete plans have been announced.
Could The Club Ever Reunite?
The lingering question for wrestling fans is whether The Club—Gallows, Anderson, Styles, and Balor—will ever reunite in WWE or elsewhere. Karl Anderson’s recent comments reveal that while his commitments in New Japan Pro-Wrestling make a return unlikely in the near term, he and Gallows remain open to collaborative opportunities with their Bullet Club brothers[1].
This leaves WWE in a position where speculation and hope persist among fans and former talent. As one backstage source put it, “The story with AJ, Luke, and Karl is one of those narratives where it’s not so much unfinished as it is ‘paused indefinitely.’ Maybe it never will finish officially, but that doesn’t mean the door can’t be reopened someday.”
The Impact of the Unfinished Saga
The tension and complexity of this unfinished story add to the mystique surrounding AJ Styles’ career, highlighting the power of long-term storytelling in professional wrestling. For Gallows and Anderson, the lack of closure on their WWE journey with Styles remains a sore spot but also a motivating factor as they continue to pursue their careers outside WWE.
This situation exemplifies how even highly promising and popular story arcs can be left incomplete due to business decisions, creative differences, or talent movement. It underscores the ephemeral and fluid nature of professional wrestling narratives.
In summary, while the story between AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson was disrupted prematurely, the door is not entirely closed. The former WWE stars have expressed hope that one day the tale of The Club might continue or conclude, whether inside WWE or on another stage. Until then, fans remain captivated by what could have been and what might still come.
Do you think WWE will reunite The Club? Share your thoughts and predictions below.