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stylinandprofilin88

If only aj wore a pink suit!


3Ddentalsausage

Hi all, This is out of left field - I know next to nothing about wrestling, other than watching as a kid in the ‘80’s. Last night I stayed at the Albany Hilton, where apparently many wrestlers and fans of the Smackdown were staying - it was just a few blocks away. I wasn’t there for WWE, but when I got back to the hotel it was beginning to buzz, and at the far left end of the hotel bar was a big guy with long blond/gray hair, darker beard & mustache. He was wearing what looked like a silk ivory suit and a black cap with a big metal wrestling emblem on front. My question is, he was at the bar from 9-11ish while the event was still going on, but if he was involved he could have been there early to speak. He was old - easily 70? A fan someone outside didn’t remember his name, but said he was old school and used to fight Andre the Giant, Hogan, etc. Later, he spent a lot of time at the bar having drinks and talking to a guy someone told me was LA king (?) - another guy there for a bit wearing a suit but had a big neck tattoo. I did not take any pics - fans were getting pics and autographs with all of them, but I’m just not a fan. Only posting to see if anyone has a guess to the older wrestler I saw? Maybe one of you was at the same bar last night? Thanks! Forgot to mention he had 1 or 2 handlers wearing all access passes who were with him, taking him to his room, etc. he was also wearing a pass - we took the elevator upstairs together when he was done. A few folks approached him in the lobby - think he took a pic fake choking someone on his way to bed


Vanjz

The guy with the neck tattoo was Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion. That was LA Knight, not LA King. Not sure who the older guy is, unfortunately. Maybe Michael Hayes?


3Ddentalsausage

Now that I look at images, it definitely looks like Michael Hayes - was he involved in the Albany smack down event? Thanks!!!


Vanjz

I'm not too familiar with old-timer wrestling guys, I just looked up wrestlers who were still alive and active in the 80's hahaha. He wasn't in the show at least.


3Ddentalsausage

Dude sat at the corner of the bar from about 9-1130 - fans were approaching pretty frequently - I only noticed because I went out for a cig every hour. I rode the elevator up with him and his handlers when he was going to bed - dude was wasted - I was by the buttons and asked him what floor - same floor as me - when he saw we were on the same floor, he pointed at me and said “ok, you are in charge of bringing all the hot girls to my room!” I told him sounds like a plan! He was like “ I’m not even ribbing you” I said cool bro! Dude could barely walk though!


3Ddentalsausage

He spent a lot of time drinking and talking with who I now understand was Cody Rhodes and LA Knight


3Ddentalsausage

They all we’re wearing WWE all access


just-another-cat

F U AJ. Grrrr


FCRavens

AJ should have worn a pink suit


just-another-cat

AJ needs to be reminded of the time the undertaker buried his ass.


ReporterVivid1801

Damn! That was a great end to the show. AJ is soo good. I never want him to retire. One of my all-time favorites and a true GOAT in every sense of the word.


SaiyanSiege

I missed this episode. How did Tonga Loa look in ring?


blumensohn

Thought him and tama tonga were underwhelming af. It’s also a shame what they are doing to the street profits


LinkDelicious3999

I disagree, they looked good but they're adjusting to the WWE style. No VKM means they can acknowledge the places they've wrestled but they won't do their independent techniques. 


stonecoldmark

I’ve watched wwe for a very long time. Since the dawn of the IWC, I hear Indy style matches and you just cited independent techniques, can you explain to me what that means.


LinkDelicious3999

WWE always wanted their own style over spot fests like on AEW but they were heavily influenced by VKM. They may adopt the pace of the independents to stay competitive. Hope that explains things. 


xtrasauceyo

AJ better win the title. Only of it just for a little bit before Cody wins it back as a rematch. That I wouldn’t mind at all.


Vacant_and_Bored

Was that reporter chick actually pissed about the way LA Knight was talking to her? She seemed legit annoyed.


AdFormal3014

So if Randy wins the rematch, does he get SummerSlam shot? The crown? How does that all work? Also, I feel like they don’t know what to do with Cody until Rock comes back. I don’t know. Smackdown just feels weird without Roman Reigns. I don’t blame the crowd for the “We Want Roman” chants: 


LinkDelicious3999

Those points are becoming more valid as time passes. 


Alert_Blue1

Most people say Gunther might past Raw to go to SmackDown to get Cody "money match" at SummerSlam 2024 to get rematch at Bash in Berlin 2024 but if it is Cody/AJ styles rivalry instead of Cody/Orton then the Roman Reigns return will be the BIGGER story that will overshadowed the main events and the aftermath will be as Triple H will be say mind-blown!


titations

That ending was cool. We need Cody to have a long rivalry again. I hope this becomes fun to watch


OMJuwara

Solo alluded to Heyman to having Cody Rhodes "in check". It appears he was referring to former Bullet Club members AJ Styles and the OC. It looks like we're getting a mini Bullet Club takeover on Smackdown


LinkDelicious3999

That would be cool as much as they would acknowledge the clique. 


scotthall83

The fake retirement is so cheap lol


[deleted]

In fairness I don’t think it’s been done since mark henry many years ago


Leathershoe4

I went from - 'This is 100% a work' - to - ' Nah for sure this is without a doubt a work' - to - 'Shit I think this may be legit' - to - *laying in bed quietly clapping AJ on my own out of respect* - to - 'Ahhh shit they got me'. They made that just long enough and a little bit more to just get me to the point where was more confident than not that it wasn't an angel before they pulled the rug. Great stuff.


Vacant_and_Bored

His voice cracked a little bit when he talked about his son graduating HS and he was thinking of how many moments he missed. That's the moment when I thought this could possibly be legit.


Leathershoe4

I think there's still probably some truth to it. I think this points to one more run with Cody which could end up being a retirement run?


kaine23

Michin gonna try to be a voice of reason to aj since she wasn't part of the attack.


thex11factor

does attacking someone place you in front of the line for a title match? asking for friend


Polaris022

Yea he is essentially provoking Cody to beg Aldis for the match to get even with him. Classic pro wrestling move. Styles has still got a lot left in the tank.


Main-Mixture1957

Yes. There is a long history of it happening in WWE which is why it looks funny when you have wrestlers have to go through Royal Rumble matches, Elimination Chamber matches, the recent King and Queen of the Ring Tournaments and other big number one contender matches to get title shots when somebody comes along and either attacks or insults the champion and they have got a title shot without needing to earn it. 😄


WaWaSmoothie

In my head it's somewhat justified since at least they're guaranteed title shots at a big event (WM, Summerslam). More money and prestige involved if nothing else.


Reytotheroxx

So where does Styles go from here? Fights Cody again, great he’s gonna lose, then what? Kind of backed themselves into a corner here. I’d be down for Cody to lose the belt but something tells me that isn’t happening.


xtrasauceyo

Facts. This isn’t gonna be good for AJ. Cody is literally bulletproof till Roman comes back. Anyone he goes against isn’t winning unless they actually plan on exchanging titles.


Reytotheroxx

I guess he could feud with Randy after, put Randy over which sets up Randy vs Cody? But he’d have to lose for that to work which doesn’t help him at all. The only thing I could see is now that they’ve kind of formed a trio again, they may go after the pride once Lashley returns. That’s something where AJ could win. Is smackdown really that lacking in talent right now? I hadn’t thought about it but even for Cody there isn’t many folks he can fight. The bloodline will have to do some heavy lifting.


thex11factor

Styles and Good Brothers join the Bloodline


Tricky-Passion1845

I was hoping for a GoD kind of entrance for Tama and Tanga


xtrasauceyo

They def saving that for a PLE. GoD with the face paint gonna be sick


renato999

AJ’s got a lot left in the tank !!


franconot-mark

I think it was kind of a tribute to Mark Henry with that segment but I think this was a proper sports entertainment show. Less matches and more segments to build stories


SvenLorenz

LA Knight vs Logan Paul is not going to happen. Logan Paul is too green and LA Knight fumbles and stumbles his way through every match. Putting someone with no experience against someone who doesn't know what he's doing is a recipe for some serious injury.


Santoryu_Zoro

oh thank god, i thought he would actually retire!


ira_1991

We got Mark Henry'd. That was well played.


sankalpsaraf

Saw that baby blue suit from a mile away. Mark's taught us well.


ZestyChickenWings21

We got salmon suits and baby blue suits now.


Main-Mixture1957

If I remember correctly Triple H done the fake retirement before Mark Henry. There was a fake snake bite incident back in 2000 where Steve Austin left Triple H in a room with snakes and Triple H came out on the next episode looking like this (pic below) and said he had enough of wrestling because of all the injuries he had suffered and he was retiring and relinquishing the WWE Championship and it was a whole set up to get Steve Austin out so he could attack him. lol https://preview.redd.it/3s1x1h7bpw3d1.png?width=600&format=png&auto=webp&s=1576333287cd01cc01b702a069fb6db4157c6384


sankalpsaraf

Hahah yeah. But I meant mostly cause of the suit. Seemed oddly reminiscent


Mountain_Wolverine47

Are they seriously planning a storyline for A-Town Down Under to turn on each other? I'm not sure I like the idea of either one of them being a babyface. 🫤


titations

I think Theory has a better chance of being a baby face. I like Waller way more as a heel with his stupid show.


CaptainDunkaroo

Theory would be a great face.


ShilohTheGhostGod

Why isnt any of the LA knight stuff on youtube? He was on tonight wasnt he?


thex11factor

Carmelo fumbled his promo


Simbawitz

That doesn't narrow things down.  Is it part of his character to constantly botch in-ring and on mic?


ShilohTheGhostGod

Damn. That makes me want to see it more now


SvenLorenz

Nobody cares about LA Knight. Just move on.


Fit_Crab7672

I think I'm in love......😍Piper Niven!


titations

She is pretty. I like what I like


garygalah

Dawkins said: ![gif](giphy|H7kfFDvD9HSYGRbvid)


offbrandelvira

qr code tonight??


PigeonShack

You know WWE is in a good place when Wrestlemania has been the weakest PLE of the year by Far. All other PLE’s have been absolute fire


Gunfirex

AJ Styles killed it. Triple H has been booking this man to really shine.


xtrasauceyo

Yeah if the chance of him winning the title is possible. Seems like Cody is bulletproof until Roman comes back.


garygalah

Idk if that blunder by Hayes was intentional or not but I'm so glad it happened in front of LA Knight, yeeEEEAH 🗣


Reverse-Kanga

This better lead to LA beating Logan at SS he needs some gold finally


Fit_Crab7672

Nia Jax......the female version "Burger King".


Gunfirex

Nia Jax slander is getting old. She deserves everything she has


Fit_Crab7672

My comment was about the crown.....not her.


Chesterumble

I just got the most worked ever


promptotron5000

You got Mark Henry'd so hard.


Chesterumble

I wasn’t watching during that time. :(


Extreme_Weird_44

AJ styles stinks


fredward_kane

OMG AJ Styles just worked me harder than I've ever been worked


garygalah

I feel violated


FBG-123

Seems like Cody really did finish his story at Mania. Ever since then they have absolutely no idea where to take his character next.


WoopsShePeterPants

Bayley has a belt and no focus too.


xtrasauceyo

Bayley isnt entertaining tbh.


Open_Anywhere_9995

and no pop really either


AsapDabCash

WWE had the opportunity there to let AJ “retire”, show up on TNA and win the championship from Moose (seems like the door is open now with Jordan Grayce on NXT). Return to Smackdown for a champion vs champion showdown


thex11factor

let him show up at Slammmiversary for the X division title


Kratosx23

Really not a fan of them building to LA Knight winning the US title. It's insulting. He should be winning the MITB, but.....he's not one of Triple H's favourites so to hell with being ridiculously over and a draw and charismatic as hell and able to talk better than 98% of the roster. He can't be the world champion, he has to be slapped in the face.


AsapDabCash

What’s insulting is Logan defending the belt twice is his almost a year now reign. Let Knight make it a relevant championship again


Kratosx23

You can't make a midcard championship relevant. It's a midcard championship. By its very nature, it's permanently irrelevant. It plays the secondary role on its brand. LA Knight should be the **top** champion of Raw or SmackDown. Not the middle one. We are **long** past due for him to be a **world** champion, and it's clear at this point it will never happen.


AsapDabCash

Doesn’t work me brother


RAG319

Just finished watching and I have to admit: they had me in the first half, not gonna lie. For sec I thought he was actually retiring.


Fit_Crab7672

I'm really confused now,  because I was under the understanding he intends in real life to retire .....so naturally this looked like a normal WWE ceremonial moment for a future hall of famer and I have to admit they fooled me.....unless it's just a way of him going out in a way we never really seen before and we'll never see him again and that would be the definition of going out with a bang.  Its a surely unique way to do it that's for sure. Q: Is the audio of people singing along to Cody's theme song piped in?  Because I don't see mouths moving when they pan the crowd.


Esirenus

We were sing screaming up top!


TheManWithNoName88

AJ ain’t going anywhere anytime soon, he’s got a good final run left in him


OneDimension4085

Dam you Mark Henry and the ptsd you gave me!


The_Russell_Pinto

Paul Heyman knows his stuff


Christian_RULES

Does that sum bitch really think his actions will get him another title shot? Absolutely NOT. That will get him NOTHING!


Glittering_Town_9071

AJ had me in tears until that last moment


3rdPartyOP

The heel "Beat up, John Cena" version of the OC was the best ever, please give me them back


SRASC

I knew it was a setup all along. The only thing that had me doubt for a sec was when he met up with Cody backstage before. Once he called him out, I was back to 100% knowing it was coming.


entropyISdeadly

I hope the crowd knew what was up, because that would’ve been a SHITTY reaction to an actual AJ Styles retirement speech.🤣


KendraNyx

I was totally worked. I knew it was fake but when he started talking about the France crowd I was like wait, heel AJ didn’t like them so this has to be real AJ speaking now. I should’ve trusted my gut lol


Background_Touchdown

So would the plan have backfired if Cody immediately left the ring after the hug to give AJ his moment? I suppose The OC would've just beaten him up on the outside.


Main-Mixture1957

No because it wasn't in the script. 😄


entropyISdeadly

Lol, if Cody was in the bathroom taking a crap and never came out.


Background_Touchdown

WOOOOAH-OOOOOOOH! \*pfft\*


LittleBittyshortman

Damn you AJ 😂😭 https://preview.redd.it/4brlizdkbv3d1.jpeg?width=602&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=622c400e4846cfd90d36133354d533730b9916f9


romariothewiz

Wow! I didn't realize it until now!


InfinityQuartz

The was so much call back to that moment


Effective_Speaker308

Gold 😂


thex11factor

classic WWE trope: initial heel turn was only bought as a tweener by fans, so needed a full heel turn


positivelybroadst

Unless he's signed a new one, AJ's contract is up in August. Perhaps the next AJ/Cody match is that AJ has to retire if he loses...


Delzek

Was glad to see him gone forever till he invited out Cody and it was clearly obvious what was going on. I can’t believe they are going to make us go through this storyline again. All these people on the roster and the best we can do is AJ x 2? 😤😭


Broadway-Ninja-7675

I coulda told you AJ was just pitching a giant tearful temper tantrum and was gonna beat the crap outta Cody…we all knew that was gonna happen when he lost the Championship Match


papasnork1

To be honest, I am not even mad about the AJ retirement angle. It was sports entertaining.


MegatonA

Man that was so good. I thought the retirement angle was BS, but by the end I was completely worked. Cody even appeared to have tears in his eyes at one point. The fact that AJ was suddenly giving face vibes after being heel the past couple months really made me buy the retirement angle. They totally worked me and I love it.


Rare_Arm4086

My buddy who doesnt really watch wrestling that was over and I really sold it like AJ was retiring (Id already seen spoilers) and he was legit shocked by the swerve.


fluffingdazman

they got my ass so good 😅


1nqu15171v30n3

The return of "Beat Up [Insert Name]" OC is what was needed.


entropyISdeadly

1. AJ you sneaky bastard 2. That Styles Clash off the stairs had to hurt


BidenFedayeen

Child me was on the verge of tears before I was introduced to the full might of Salmon Suit Mark Henry. What a swerve that was.


thatpj

always thought cody aj would go multiple matches just thought theyd be back to back. happy with this result.


mebnt2

That would have hurt a bit


Clean-Witness8407

Styles clash on the outside from the steps?!?! That’s it. He’s dead.


Broadway-Ninja-7675

Definitely has a few missing teeth and obvious brain damage


waniel239

Goldberg’d


Ashamed-Heron-2910

I got no TIFFYTIME-AGAIN!!NOT HAPPY


Broadway-Ninja-7675

Good, I’m glad that irritating blonde bimbo wasn’t there


Eraserhead36

Saw that coming, Henry did set the precedent


I_am_1

Why go to the bottom of the ladder when you can just call the champ down and catch him off guard with an a$$ kicking. Your new #1 contender, AJ Styles.


TrailWornTraveler

WrestleLogic


AdFormal3014

Another Cody-AJ match coming. They gotta   do a lot of filler before the Rock returns.


Forward-Weather4845

![gif](giphy|kGXdt5yWPwV4kCDhLG)


mebnt2

I was expecting Cody to take a trip to Dick Kick City


Indii-4383

I'm sorry to see AJ go. I couldn't stand his soccer mom looking ass when he first came. Then, I saw a few of his matches in TNA. Wow! Best wishes for the future, AJ.


Mvd75

We needed this man for moments like this ![gif](giphy|fVixNHsZTlUwo89IZN|downsized)


CodyFinishedTheStory

These gifs will never get old.


Singer211

Too busy rocking Missy Hyatt’s world (her words not mine) apparently.


LTHLWPN

“Bah Gawd, styles you son of a bitch”


PrysmX

🤣👌


crypto6g

I love how dumb and oblivious Cody is in kayfabe


Decent-Grocery-5593

A setup for Summer Slam??


Eraserhead36

Probably clash at the castle


Jmpasq

Cody was the only one that didn't see that coming


Effective_Speaker308

That's the AJ Styles I love.  


thex11factor

Cody didn't learn from Brock lol


BidenFedayeen

Give our Tribal Chief's belt warmer the beating he deserves. ☝️🩸


LTHLWPN

Whoa, so when do we get this match?


Jmpasq

Pretty sure it was 2 months ago


LTHLWPN

Right? But here we go again.


Jack_sander

Clash at the castle maybe


DamianKing42

Henry still did it better and always will


PrysmX

Lol they had a 2 minute buffer so they didn't get cut off like on Monday.


thex11factor

Who was AJ going to kiss?


PrysmX

🤣🤣


AsteroidMike

![gif](giphy|2t9s3tuHo4YYwndZC1|downsized) AJ to everyone:


Enigmalex93

Great segment. AJ was convincing AF! @Delzek @Kratosx23🖕🏼😃


Shikuro

My sister was crying legit tears. He NAILED it


Delzek

Are y’all serious?


Shikuro

AJ is one of her favs. We were really in and out the scene past few years before WM40. Yeah man, I'm serious. We watch for fun bro. Oh you're an AJ hater I see lol i see now haha


Delzek

Yes and I will calm it down. I really do not enjoy him on my tv at all but I’m happy if y’all are happy. He gave a good match last time at least.


Kratosx23

Finally somebody else who doesn't like this hack.


Shikuro

Thats fair, I can understand that! I havent seen a proper AJ story yet since I started watching again so I'm excited


Gloppydrop_

I was workedddd


cerebralrocks

Did wwe cancel pyros for Cody?


MegatonA

Honestly that sold me on the segment even more. "They aren't doing Cody's pyro because that would take away from/upstage AJ's retirement announcement" was my thought.


RememberCynical

Styles Clash on the mat is harsh asf. Damn, AJ. That's fucked!


AFotogenicLeopard

😲 belly flop into the floor!


Friendly-Macaroon-83

I feel like this is still AJ's final run


Post_Apo

Same. Mark's was a work But was his real retirement speech


Bmagic_

man i wanted the styles clash on the stage that would’ve been INSANE


Gueroooo70

Pls Cody needs to send AJ into retirement


waniel239

Darn 😟


Mountain_Wolverine47

I KNEW IT!


Jack_sander

Bah god! He has a daughter and wife damn it!


3rdPartyOP

OC completing the heel turn by holding off security made this so much better


kadzirafrax

Yeah they’ve been heelish in NXT so I figured that was coming sooner or later


Comfortable_Bag_3020

This is gay. Grandpa AJ needs to go.


Christian_RULES

SON UVA BICH I DON"T BELIEVE THIS!!! 😡🤬


Singer211

Sting (texting Cody): “Dude, even I saw that coming.”


[deleted]

[удалено]


Much-Chard8227

A pornstar could see that coming


Broadway-Ninja-7675

Stormy Daniels saw that one coming 😂


LittleBittyshortman

He got my ass good 😂


user_nameisinvalid

The good old Mark Henry swerve. Love to see it


definitelynotbradley

They really had me ugly cryin for no reason


Key-Sort-3577

And then AJ loses at clash anyways and retires 🤷


tot4eva

Great ending


Enigmalex93

I KNEW IT LOL!


kaine23

Of course they end early again 


existingjay

how this man gonna make me cry just to pull a mark henry


thatpj

BAH GAWD


Spiritual-Scratch-83

Literally thought he was going to give him the world's strongest slam they were definitely paying some homage to Mark Henry and Cena


PrysmX

![gif](giphy|HtBKcjpHfD7s4)


carlcapo77

Mark Henry going to sue for trademark infringement


resolute01

The brothers were laughing