AEW Referenced In Big Way During WWE SmackDown

There was a clear reference to AEW in a big segment during today’s WWE SmackDown in Scotland ahead of Clash at the Castle.

An in-ring face-to-face took place on SmackDown between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, and his challenger in the “I Quit” match at Clash at the Castle, AJ Styles.

After the crowd was finished chanting Cody Rhodes’ name to the tune of Daddy Cool by Boney M, Styles had some harsh words for the defending champion.

Naming some big promotions that Rhodes had joined-then-left on his way back to WWE, Styles stated that Rhodes “quit WWE, then quit New Japan, then quit Ring of Honor”, then… referenced, but didn’t name, AEW.

Styles said: “This man right here helped start up a company, and you quit that too.”

In Rhodes’ reply, he too referenced AEW by saying he and his “friends” started up a company together, but again, didn’t actually say its name.

There was also a major hint on SmackDown that a WWE tag team will be splitting up soon – click here for more.

AJ Styles on SmackDown says Cody Rhodes quit WWE, he quit New Japan, he quit Ring of Honor, and then referenced but didn't name AEW:

"This man right here helped start up a company, and you quit that too." pic.twitter.com/ZDVbvKNXwo

— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) June 14, 2024

Want a career in the professional wrestling industry but don’t know where to start? Enrolment is now open for the first-of-its-kind Wrestling Masterclass – click here for details!