On the September 8, 2025, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, AJ Styles delivered a rare, candid promo during a commercial break that exposed his growing backstage frustrations and hinted that some unnamed figures within WWE might be working against him. Speaking directly to the live audience before his singles match against El Grande Americano, Styles laid bare feelings of isolation and discontent, revealing that he feels unsupported and possibly targeted behind the scenes[1][2].

The promo, which quickly became a highlight of the night, followed an intense narrative thread that Styles has been subtly weaving over recent weeks. In his words, “Someone doesn’t want me here,” implying that backstage politics and decisions have stripped him of allies and influence. Styles lamented the absence of his former OC faction partners — Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson — who, along with Michin, had been key figures in his support system but were released earlier this year. Meanwhile, Michin continues to appear on SmackDown but without major success, highlighting Styles’ point about losing his backing on Raw[2].

For the first time in his WWE tenure, Styles emphasized that he felt alone in the locker room. His references to Gallows, Anderson, and Omos highlighted a storyline that blurs the lines between scripted drama and real-life grievances. According to sources close to the situation, Styles’ frustrations may reflect genuine backstage tensions, amplified by the perception that he lacks the creative push and camaraderie he once enjoyed[2].

Despite these challenges, Styles showed his fighting spirit in the ring by overcoming El Grande Americano, even amid interference from other masked luchadores. His victory was secured thanks to interference from Dragon Lee, who later vowed to back Styles in a backstage promo, signaling potential new alliances or storylines for the Phenomenal One[2]. This allyship could signal a rejuvenation for Styles amid uncertain backstage politics.

In addition to his in-ring performance, Styles’ promo included pointed criticisms directed at WWE Raw officials, a bold move that fans and insiders noted as a rare example of a top star publicly airing grievances on-air. Videos released by WWE and viewed widely on social platforms underscore that Styles did not hold back his feelings, coloring his promo with hints of internal strife and professional dissatisfaction[4][5].

This development has sparked strong reactions from the WWE fanbase and wrestling media. Analysts at Fightful and PWInsider emphasize that Styles’ promo might be a strategic effort to gain sympathy and leverage over WWE creatives, or perhaps a genuine cry for respect from a veteran star feeling sidelined[2][3]. WWE.com’s highlight reels also spotlight the segment as one of the most compelling promos on Raw in recent memory, praising Styles for his raw honesty[5].

Sources suggest that the creative direction of Raw has shifted in ways less favorable to Styles, which may have catalyzed the outspoken remarks. While the company hasn’t issued an official response, insiders speculate that this moment could lead to a renewed push for Styles or, conversely, further instruction to keep him out of spotlight angles temporarily[1][4].

AJ Styles’ willingness to break character barriers and address backstage issues live on WWE programming marks a striking moment in the ongoing narrative of Monday Night Raw. Whether this promo signals real change, new alliances, or a strategic storyline twist remains to be seen, but it undeniably elevates the drama surrounding “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles in 2025 WWE.

Sources:

• WWE.com video highlights of AJ Styles’ promo and match[5]
• Fightful and 411Mania coverage of backstage implications and promo details[1][2]
• YouTube recaps and fan commentary on the September 8 Raw episode[3][4]

This evolving story will be closely tracked by wrestling journalists and fans alike as the fallout from Styles’ raw remarks unfolds on upcoming WWE programming.