A.J. Styles is currently recovering from an ankle injury he suffered at the TLC pay-per-view earlier this month. Although he appeared on television in the past two weeks, he did not get physical due to the nature of his injury. Here are the latest news and updates regarding Styles' injury and return date.
As recapped by WWE.com, James Ellsworth was kayfabe sick last Tuesday on SmackDown Live that is why he did not get the opportunity to face Styles. The current WWE champion was not in action but he was at ringside when Dolph Ziggler became the No.1 contender for his title.
Ziggler defeated Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper and The Miz in a Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match. He will get a shot at Styles' WWE championship on the December 27 edition of SmackDown Live. It is the final SmackDown Live of the year.
According to Wrestling Inc, Styles has been pulled out of all SmackDown live events and house shows until December 26. He is scheduled to return on the same day at Madison Square Garden live event. He will defend the WWE title in Triple Threat Match against Ambrose and the returning John Cena.
"The Phenomenal One" was removed from live events and house shows to help him heal his injured ankle. He suffered the injury in the TLC Match against Ambrose at the TLC PPV. He was in a walking boot last week but the WWE wanted him to be 100 percent healthy before the biggest live event of the year.
It should be noted that Styles was in character during his appearance on Talking Smack last Tuesday. He told Daniel Bryan and Renee Young that he was ready to face Ellsworth and he is healthy to compete inside the ring.
"Health-wise I'm ready to rock, I was ready to go with Ellsworth tonight and then he got sick, I'm ready to go... listen, I can go," Styles said.
It should be noted that the face that runs the place is expected to retain the WWE title against Ziggler. He will then proceed to reignite his feud with Cena, who is returning to television on the December 27 episode of SmackDown Live in Chicago.
Check out the video below to see Styles' appearance on Talking Smack last Tuesday.