WWE Reportedly Canceled Major AJ Styles Match on SmackDown
WWE changed plans for SmackDown in Barcelona, replacing AJ Styles with hometown performer Axiom against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther in a non-title match.
WWE canceled a previously announced match between AJ Styles and Gunther for the March 14 edition of SmackDown in Barcelona, Spain. The company replaced Styles with Spanish wrestler Axiom for the non-televised match.
The sports entertainment company had initially publicized the Styles versus Gunther match without specifying whether it would be televised or dark (non-televised).
During Friday’s SmackDown in Barcelona, Gunther entered the ring and insulted the local crowd, stating he wished he was in Madrid instead. The World Heavyweight Champion then issued a challenge to Axiom, who made his main roster debut in front of his home country audience.
Axiom, currently one-half of the NXT Tag Team Champions, stepped in to replace Styles against Gunther. The Spanish crowd enthusiastically welcomed their homeland competitor for this special appearance.
Gunther defeated Axiom in a dominant performance to conclude their contest. Following the match, the Imperium leader applied a sleeper hold on Axiom, leaving him unconscious in the center of the ring.
This post-match assault appeared to send a message to Gunther’s WrestleMania 41 opponent, Jey Uso, ahead of their championship match at WWE’s premier event.
Axiom in his home country, facing the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther ❤️ #WWE #SmackDown axiom pic.twitter.com/2gjzq7S9PY
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) March 14, 2025
