WWE makes a huge blunder to spoil the return of former World Champion on this week’s SmackDown

AJ Styles could be on his way back to WWE television after warming the bench for nearly 100 days.

WWE makes a huge blunder to spoil the return of former World Champion on this week’s SmackDown

Former WWE Champion to return on SmackDown [via- WWE and What Culture Wrestling on X]

WWE will present tonight’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The show is themed to pay tribute to US Armed Forces veterans and their families. It’s been scheduled to be aired live on network television for the first time in history. Apart from that, WWE has apparently dropped the ball on keeping a top return undercover.

Having said that, the company is advertising former WWE Champion AJ Styles on the official poster for SmackDown: Tribute to the Troops. As reported earlier, The Phenomenal One was to return to WWE programming this week itself. However, it was meant to be a surprise. As a slight bummer, it doesn’t seem to be the case any longer.

YouTube video

FS Video

Styles last appeared on SmackDown in September. He was originally factored in to partner with John Cena in his pursuit of combating The Bloodline. However, the dream team couldn’t come to fruition as both Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso launched a blindsided attack on Styles. The Bloodline members rattled AJ so badly that he required the need for medical attention.

Since then, the fans have not seen the Gainesville-based wrestler on television. However, as already spoiled by WWE’s advertisement, AJ Styles could mark his impending return as soon as tonight. Upon doing so, he might broach the subject to decimate The Bloodline.

There’s no word on whether the company plans to feed Styles to Roman Reigns in the eventual run. Of course, there would’ve been a brighter chance of Styles vs. Reigns happening at the Royal Rumble had Randy Orton not rekindled his beef with The Tribal Chief and his goons.

What else announced for SmackDown?

Apart from a potential AJ Styles return, WWE has already loaded up the card for tonight’s show. The event will mark CM Punk‘s first SmackDown appearance in over a decade. It would be interesting to see if The Best in the World crosses paths with his former manager, Paul Heyman. The creative has long-term plans to line up Punk for a big-time feud with Reigns.

CM Punk
CM Punk returns to SmackDown this week [via- WWE]

The advertised matches include Randy Orton and LA Knight taking on Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa. Meanwhile, Charlotte Flair battles Asuka in addition to the US Title No. 1 contender tournament first-round clashes.

That includes Bobby Lashley going up against Karrion Kross and Dragon Lee gunning for revenge against Santos Escobar. Also, 2-time Grammy nominees The War and Treaty will stage a live performance during the show.

In case you missed it: