More details on the grim situation surrounding AJ Styles’ injury scare on WWE SmackDown

At the beginning of the year, no one would have thought that AJ Styles and a possible ankle injury would become such an interesting story. And yet it’s been that way since Styles’ match with Carmelo Hayes last Friday ended by a referee’s decision when Styles grabbed his ankle. Initial reports suggested that the whole thing was an act and that Styles was fine, but the tone changed on Monday when it was suggested that Styles had legitimately injured his ankle.

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Now the situation seems to have become even bleaker. During the Select Answers report, Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp gave another update on Styles’ situation. Sapp reiterated that he was originally told that Styles’ injury was an act and was planned. He also confirmed that Styles’ friends, WWE writers and staff have now been told that Styles’ injury was legitimate.

Still, Sapp expressed some skepticism about Styles’ injury, largely due to the way the situation was handled. Sapp noted that even after his injury, the camera remained focused on Styles the entire time, even though protocols in WWE and AEW call for cutting when a talent is injured. Additionally, Styles was filmed walking to the back, and portions of the show were later aired showing him in the trainer’s room and leaving the arena on crutches.

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Finally, Sapp pointed out that Jackie Redmond had received an update on Styles’ condition, followed by what appeared to be a reaction from Styles, another unusual development for a common injury. Therefore, Sapp ended his update by saying that he wishes Styles the best and hopes that the ongoing events provide some perspective.