AJ Styles Praises Fatal Influence for Strong Heel Impact on SmackDown

Posted by admin on May 4th, 2026

AJ Styles has given high praise to Fatal Influence, pointing to their early run on SmackDown as an example of effective heel work that is getting the intended reaction.

Speaking on the Phenomenally Retro Podcast, the recently retired veteran explained that the group’s presentation immediately stood out to him.

AJ Styles Praises Fatal Influence

Styles said the trio generated the kind of response that strong villains are supposed to create.

“Well, what I like about that group is they look like the kind of people that would bully my daughter. Yeah. That makes me mad. And so I was like, ‘Oh, I was like, they’re doing so good.’ You know, it’s the opposite of how I would feel, but knowing what they’re doing and how they’re doing their job and they’re doing it well. ‘This is it.’ And so I’m like, ‘All right, keep doing what you’re doing. This is good. This is good stuff,’” Styles said.

His comments reflect how effective the group has been at drawing negative reactions, which is a key goal for any heel act.

Fatal Influence Building Momentum

Fatal Influence — made up of Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid — officially joined the SmackDown roster after WrestleMania 42.

Their debut immediately placed them in a high-profile spot. The group interrupted a Women’s Tag Team Championship match involving Paige and Brie Bella before Jayne stepped into a singles match against Rhea Ripley.

Recent Results Strengthen Their Position

The group continued to build momentum the following week when Jayne scored a win over Charlotte Flair with assistance from Henley and Reid.

That result further established Fatal Influence as a factor on the blue brand, with their combination of interference and presence drawing consistent reactions.

For Jayne, the call-up marks another stint on the main roster. She previously appeared in the Women’s Tag Team Titles Tournament in 2022 alongside Gigi Dolin before returning to NXT.

Now back on SmackDown, she and her stablemates have quickly positioned themselves as a group to watch.

Styles’ reaction highlights the effectiveness of their approach so far, as they continue to build their identity and presence on WWE television.