AJ Styles Fakes Retirement, Attacks Cody Rhodes – AJ Styles hinted at hanging up his boots during the May 31 episode of WWE SmackDown, acknowledging that his time to clinch another world title shot might be over following his defeat to reigning champion Cody Rhodes at WWE Backlash France.

Reflecting on the possibility of stepping away to prioritize his family, Styles shared an emotional moment with his longtime stablemates, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. In a heartfelt address, he acknowledged that his match against Rhodes at WWE Backlash France could be a fitting conclusion to his illustrious career. Declaring that SmackDown was still “the house that AJ Styles built,” he symbolically handed over the reins to Rhodes.

In a show of mutual respect, Rhodes expressed his gratitude and admiration for Styles, leading to a warm embrace between the two. However, the celebration took a shocking turn as Styles abruptly attacked Rhodes. The brutal assault culminated in a Styles Clash off the steel steps, leaving the champion stunned and the audience in disbelief.

Here is a full recap of the segment that ended tonight’s WWE SmackDown episode:

AJ Styles makes his way to the ring for his big announcement and he is joined by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

AJ looks like he is trying to fight back tears.  He says he has to tell ya that he has been thinking about what Nick Aldis said for the last week.  He was told if he wanted another chance at Cody’s title, he had to go to the back of the line.  He says he has dwelled on this for the last week.  He says he can’t do that at this point in his career.  At this time in his life, he can’t do this.  AJ says he has been doing this for over two decades.  He has been busting his body, blood, sweat, and tears all over the world so he could become Phenomenal.  

This past week, his son graduated high school and he got to be there.  We had his graduation party at the house and there were so many friends there.  Clarity hit him in the head.  How many of these has he missed?  Instead of being the Phenomenal AJ Styles, maybe he can stay at home and be a Phenomenal Father.

He tells Gallows and Anderson he couldn’t do this without them and he loves them.  AJ says they are better than friends, they are his brothers.  If they have to do this one more time, they need to do it right.

They ‘Too Sweet’ and then they hug.

AJ says before he goes, he says he whispered something in Cody’s ear and he said he asked Cody to come out when he called for him.

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

AJ says before he came out here to do what he had to do, he wanted to look Cody in the eyes, face to face, and tell him he had one of the greatest matches he ever had at Backlash.  The crowd was electric and if he had one more match, that would be it.  He says this is still the House that AJ Styles Built.  AJ says he called Cody out here to hand him the keys.

Cody starts to well up.

Cody says they have only exchanged one text message and it was after their match at Backlash.  He asked if AJ was okay and AJ said he was okay ‘little bro’.  Cody says he could say a lot about the announcement but he could say that for everyone, thank you very much, AJ Styles.

They shake hands and hug.

AJ waves to the crowd and then Cody raises his hand.  

AJ gives Cody a clothesline and he takes off his jacket and he punches Cody.  AJ sends Cody to the floor and he follows.  AJ sends Cody into the ring steps.  AJ pushes the top part of the steps away and he gets Cody up while Karl and Luke block any assistance.

AJ with a Styles Clash off the ring steps as we go to credits!

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AJ Styles Fakes Retirement, Attacks Cody Rhodes