AJ Styles Returns On SmackDown; Teases Heel Turn?!
SmackDown went off the air with more questions than answers over AJ Styles' WWE future.
![Randy Orton AJ Styles LA Knight](https://cdn4.whatculture.com/images/2023/12/5a3c062c9bf03852-600x338.jpg)
AJ Styles finally returned to action on Friday's episode of WWE SmackDown, but sensationally teased a possible heel turn right at the tail end of the broadcast.
The veteran hit the ring with a dazzling phenomenal forearm on Bloodline chief Roman Reigns, then posed with fellow babyfaces Randy Orton and LA Knight. It's worth noting that Styles looked absolutely jacked - this might be the best physical shape AJ has ever been in.
Just as it looked like SmackDown would go off the air without further incident, Styles surprisingly decked Knight. Orton glanced over and ultimately shrugged, but the show went dark with more questions than answers about AJ's future plans.
WWE's official website and social media streams are already asking "why" Styles would floor LA Knight without warning. SmackDown ended with AJ then strolling up the ramp past members of The Bloodline as everyone wondered what was going on.
If nothing else, it was an intriguing piece of television and a real cliffhanger ending. Is Styles actually turning heel, or was this a heat of the moment thing? You'll have to wait to find out.