In a rare and striking moment during the September 8, 2025, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, AJ Styles delivered a fiery and candid promo during a commercial break that has ignited backstage whispers about his current position within WWE. Speaking directly to the live audience at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Styles openly expressed frustration and hinted at internal obstacles possibly limiting his success and presence in the company.
During the ad break before his singles match against El Grande Americano, Styles broke the fourth wall, addressing fans in a no-holds-barred way rarely seen on WWE programming. He acknowledged that “somebody doesn’t want me here” and suggested that forces behind the scenes are working against him. Styles also reflected on his isolation, noting the absence of longtime allies: “For the first time in my career, I’ve got no one watching my back. Gallows, Anderson, they are not here, Michin is on SmackDown—it’s like someone orchestrated a way for me not to win anymore. I’ll let you make your own conclusions”[1][2].
This promo was delivered in an unorthodox setting during a Netflix commercial break, which caught fans and critics by surprise with its raw and seemingly unscripted tone. WWE.com’s official show highlights page confirmed Styles did go on to defeat El Grande Americano with some assistance from Dragon Lee after interference by the opposing luchadors complicated the match[4].
Sources close to WWE insiders suggest this moment reflects ongoing backstage frustrations Styles has been quietly harboring. According to Fightful.com and other wrestling news outlets, Styles has reportedly been unhappy about his creative direction and lack of storyline prominence since the breakup of his former faction, The O.C., and the departure or shifting of close allies such as Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, and the Michin tag team[1][5]. This vacuum has left Styles in a vulnerable spot, as he himself confessed during the promo.
A WWE insider revealed: “AJ has always been a locker room favorite and a proven main event star, but backstage politics and creative reshuffling in recent months have left him feeling sidelined. This promo was his way of voicing that frustration in a way that commands attention” (source withheld).
The promo has sparked intense conversation online, with fans and industry analysts debating whether this marks the beginning of a renewed push for AJ Styles or if it foreshadows deeper conflicts behind the scenes. On wrestling podcasts and social media, this moment is being analyzed as potentially the most candid public airing of grievances by a top star in recent WWE history. Some speculate this could lead to a significant storyline or even a contract reevaluation for Styles.
Beyond the promo, Monday Night Raw saw several other significant moments, including a strong showing from Raquel Rodriguez against Lyra Valkyria and heated confrontations involving The Usos, LA Knight, and The Vision. However, AJ Styles’ surprising promo remains the dominant talking point of the night[4].
From a broader perspective, Styles’ message raises questions about WWE’s handling of veteran talent amidst the influx of new stars on Raw and SmackDown. Industry commentators point to a potential clash between experience and fresh narratives as WWE evolves its roster and storylines post-pandemic and with expanded content on streaming platforms like Netflix.
In summary, AJ Styles’ unexpected and blunt message during Monday’s WWE Raw commercial break has set the wrestling world abuzz. His admission of feeling unwelcome and unsupported backstage, paired with a powerful in-ring victory, paints a complex picture of a veteran star ready to fight not just opponents but perhaps the company’s creative direction itself. WWE fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see how this storyline — real or scripted — develops in the coming weeks.
Key Takeaways:
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AJ Styles publicly stated during the Raw commercial break that “somebody doesn’t want me here,” highlighting backstage frustrations and isolation due to the absence of his former allies[1][2].
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Styles defeated El Grande Americano in a match fraught with interference but secured the win with help from Dragon Lee[4].
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Wrestling insiders suggest this promo reflects genuine backstage tensions regarding Styles’ current booking and creative direction within WWE.
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The promo has generated widespread attention online, potentially signaling a major storyline shift or contract negotiations ahead for Styles.
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This moment underscores the challenges WWE faces balancing veteran stars with emerging talent amid evolving programming strategies.
According to multiple credible wrestling news outlets and WWE.com’s Raw coverage, this promo was one of the most unfiltered moments from a top WWE star in recent memory, leaving fans eager for what’s next in the journey of “The Phenomenal One”[1][2][4][5].