AJ Styles has revealed that one of the most surprising championship changes of his WWE career wasn’t supposed to happen.
Looking back at his United States Championship match against Kevin Owens at WWE Battleground 2017, Styles explained how one in-ring mistake unexpectedly changed the planned finish.
The former champion admitted he initially believed the referee had made an incorrect call. He then discovered the replay told a different story.
AJ Styles admits his shoulder stayed down against Kevin Owens
Speaking on his Phenomenally Retro podcast, Styles confirmed that he was originally meant to retain the United States Championship against Owens. Instead, an unintentional pinfall led to a title change that forced WWE to pivot creatively.
“Here’s something that people don’t know. When I lost that one to him, I wasn’t supposed to lose. My shoulder was supposed to be up. I thought it was; I was pissed.”
Styles recalled confronting WWE management after returning backstage because he believed the referee had counted a pin that shouldn’t have happened.
“I came back like, ‘What the freak is going on?’ Vince was like, ‘Your shoulder wasn’t up.’ I was like, ‘1000% it was up.’ I wasn’t mad because I lost. I was mad because why the freak did he count something that wasn’t a pin?”
Vince McMahon then instructed production staff to show Styles the replay.
“He goes, ‘Show him, take him to the truck and show him.’ I go back and watch it, sure enough, my shoulder is down.”
After seeing the footage, Styles admitted he had been mistaken and apologized.
“So, I go to Vince, ‘You’re right, I was wrong. Sorry about that.'”
The accidental finish led to Kevin Owens capturing the United States Championship at Battleground.
However, WWE quickly got the title picture back on track just two days later. Styles regained the championship in a Triple Threat Match against Owens and Chris Jericho on SmackDown.
Sometimes even “The Phenomenal One” can’t kick out of a replay. While the mistake briefly changed WWE’s plans, Styles’ candid recollection offers fans a rare look behind the curtain at how quickly the company adapted when the unexpected happened.
Read More: WWE Star Explains Shawn Michaels and Triple H’s Different Booking Styles
