AJ Styles is not part of the Money in the Bank premium live event this year, but that does not mean he will sit out the weekend. On the May 27 episode of RAW, Styles shocked everyone when he attacked Chad Gable backstage. Gable had just lost his qualifying match for Money in the Bank, thanks to an interference from El Hijo del Vikingo. After the match, a frustrated and bloodied Gable confronted Vikingo backstage. But as soon as Vikingo walked away, AJ Styles appeared out of nowhere and punched Gable right on his injured face.
It looked like a one-off moment at first. But when you look closer, it feels like the start of something bigger. WWE fans are now asking the same question, could Styles show up at NXT Worlds Collide on June 7 and get involved in Gable¡¯s match against Vikingo? There are a few strong reasons why this could happen.
AJ Styles is one of the biggest names in WWE, but this year he is not part of Money in the Bank. The match card is already filling up with names like Solo Sikoa, Penta, Seth Rollins, and LA Knight. There is no sign of Styles on that list. With nothing planned for him on the main roster show, a surprise appearance at Worlds Collide would give him a chance to stay in the spotlight.
?Styles has also been involved in recent RAW storylines that seem connected to Chad Gable. Last week, a masked wrestler called El Grande Americano cost Styles and Penta their tag match against The Judgment Day. Many believe that El Grande Americano is actually Chad Gable in disguise. So even though Gable denies it, Styles clearly holds him responsible.
Chad Gable is facing El Hijo del Vikingo at the Worlds Collide event. Both men are popular in their own ways. Vikingo is a big star in AAA and has been getting more attention in WWE. Gable, since forming American Made, has started to build serious momentum on RAW.
?This makes the match a tricky one to book. WWE might not want either man to lose clean. That is where Styles could come in. If he interferes and attacks Gable again, it would allow Vikingo to get the win. At the same time, it would protect Gable from looking weak. It also keeps the storyline going between Styles and Gable, giving fans something to talk about after the match.
Styles has been feuding with The Judgment Day on and off for months. But right now, the group is dealing with its own problems. The introduction of Roxanne Perez in the faction has created quite the stir in the group, with Finn Balor orchestrating a plan to create a rift between Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio. This has left Styles without a clear role.
?Instead of keeping him stuck in a feud that is not moving forward, WWE might decide to give Styles a new story. His issues with Gable are fresh and make sense. Both men are free from other big commitments and their backstage moment already has fans interested.
If Styles shows up at Worlds Collide and costs Gable the match, it would make a lot of sense. It builds on what happened on RAW. It helps Vikingo. It gives Styles something meaningful to do. And it pushes Gable¡¯s character in a new direction. WWE likes surprising its fans at crossover events, and this could be one of those moments.
Chad Gable might be preparing for a one-on-one match with Vikingo, but he could be walking straight into another attack from The Phenomenal One.