5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (4 Oct - Results & Review)

3. AJ Styles Returns

SmackDown opened with a smiling AJ Styles return.

It's legit awesome to see AJ back on WWE TV for the first time in a minute. He teased a retirement storyline over the summer, and it looks like that's set to continue through the latter months of 2024. Why not? There's plenty left in the tale, and it gives Styles some purpose on shows beyond 'stalwart veteran who wrestles good'.

Nashville's wrestling faithful were delighted to see AJ kick off the night. Being interrupted by a young buck (steady) like Carmelo Hayes will only keep wheels spinning on Styles' growing frustrations with how things are going in his career too. That moment was also in-character for a sh*t disturber like Hayes.

Some on social media seem upset that country music singer HARDY was flown in to do his thing and welcome Styles back. For the life of him, this writer isn't sure why. If anything, giving AJ that sort of entrance only made his comeback even more special. Everything about this worked.