WWE Rumors: Reason why AJ Styles and Rusev are not being used on WWE TV

What's the story?

Writing in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer revealed why WWE has not used AJ Styles and Rusev on Raw and SmackDown Live over the last month.

In case you didn't know…

AJ Styles looked as though he would be one of the featured Superstars on Raw after he moved to the brand in the 2019 Superstar Shake-Up.

However, following his loss against Seth Rollins at Money In The Bank on May 19, the two-time WWE champion has not competed in any televised matches, while his only recent appearance came in a WWE.com exclusive on June 17 when he was involved in a backstage segment with The Club.

As for Rusev, he featured in tag team matches with Shinsuke Nakamura on SmackDown Live in the two weeks that followed WrestleMania 35, but his only televised in-ring appearance in the last two months came on June 7 when he participated in the 50-man Battle Royal at Super ShowDown.

The heart of the matter

The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer is reporting that AJ Styles has not yet been cleared following an unspecified injury, but he is due to return to team with Triple H, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson to face Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre & Samoa Joe in Tokyo, Japan on June 28.

“Styles has not been cleared yet but he was back at TV because they expect him to be cleared very soon. He is at this point expected to be cleared in time to wrestle on the Sumo Hall shows at the end of the month.”

Regarding Rusev, Meltzer added that he has not been on television recently because he asked for time off, but he is expected back shortly.

What's next?

Provided that he is cleared, AJ Styles will reunite with The Club and join forces with Triple H to compete in the aforementioned 4-on-4 match in Japan next week. Rusev, meanwhile, has been without a meaningful storyline since his rivalry with Shinsuke Nakamura ended in January 2019, so it remains to be seen what plans WWE could have in store for him when he returns.