5 Times current WWE Superstars had real-life heat with each other

#4 WWE Superstars AJ Styles and Paul Heyman

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Two-time WWE Champion AJ Styles took several shots at Paul Heyman while talking to fans in July 2020.

The Phenomenal One disliked the way that his friends, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, received their releases in April 2020. Back then, Heyman still worked as the RAW Executive Director, and Styles felt he was responsible for his on-screen allies’ sudden departures.

Speaking on Twitch, Styles said he talked to others in the WWE locker room about Gallows and Anderson’s releases. He claimed that some of his co-workers also had issues with the former ECW owner.

“I talked to a lot of guys about this situation, and you wouldn't believe how many people that I worked with despises this guy because of his lies. It was almost kinda hard to find someone who liked him,” Styles said.

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Styles also confirmed that he requested to join SmackDown in May 2020 because he no longer wanted to work under Heyman on RAW.

In January 2021, Styles appeared on SmackDown post-show Talking Smack, which was co-hosted at the time by Heyman. He cryptically referenced Gallows and Anderson’s departures by saying nothing would make him happier than to see Heyman lose his job.

About the author

Danny Hart is a journalist who has been reporting on pro wrestling (WWE) at Sportskeeda since 2017. He grew up as a massive fan of football/soccer and wrestling, leading him to pursue a career in sports journalism.

Before assuming his current role, Hart worked as a football writer at Goal.com between 2009 and 2016. He prides himself on writing original content that is fact-based and highly accurate. Hart thoroughly proofreads his work before submitting it and relies only on credible sources for information.

Hart’s favorite pro wrestler is The Undertaker. He admires the 2022 WWE Hall of Famer’s ability to reinvent his character and remain relevant across his decades-long career. If given the keys to WWE’s creative department, he would bring back The Phenom for a farewell bout against AJ Styles in a stadium full of fans. Not only that, but he would love to have the multi-time world champion’s greatest rivals seated at ringside for the spectacle.

When not watching and covering sports, Hart enjoys long-distance running, playing video games, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

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Edited by Alan John

5 Times current WWE Superstars had real-life heat with each other (and the reasons why)

#4 WWE Superstars AJ Styles and Paul Heyman