WWE Rumors: WWE Now Bans The Styles Clash — AJ Styles To Rely On Calf Crusher
Ever since arriving in WWE, AJ Styles has pretty much been involved with Chris Jericho in some way or another. After his Royal Rumble appearance, Styles went on to have a series of matches with Jericho and a couple of others here and there. Well, it’s been over a month since his WWE debut, and the Styles Clash has only been seen a total of two times which lends some legitimacy to rumors that the company has banned it.
It has been something that many have thought would happen after numerous wrestlers around the world have complained about it. They’ve called it unsafe and say that it could seriously injure someone if something goes wrong.
WrestleZone recently discussed the possibility of WWE banning the Styles Clash, and having AJ rely solely on the Calf Crusher (Killer) as his finisher. Sure, it’s an awesome move, but it doesn’t necessarily have the big-time feel to it.
Since arriving in WWE, AJ Styles has used the Styles Clash a total of two times.
After that, Jericho had his short-lived heel turn which eventually set up a rubber match against the two at Fastlane. It was a pretty good match, and it ended with AJ Styles hitting the Styles Clash on Jericho for the pinfall as well.
According to The Wrestling Observer, the fear of the move doesn’t come from other superstars worrying about injuries, but a higher power. It appears as if it is actually Vince McMahon who is making the call to have the Styles Clash not be performed often.
McMahon’s concern about the move comes from a match back in 2014 where Styles was taking on Yoshi Tatsu. The finish of the match came when Styles set up Tatsu for the Styles Clash, and he hit it, but it was botched in a big way and Tatsu landed on the back of his head.
Honestly, it was extremely scary.
Yoshi Tatsu ended up having to pull out of a tag team tournament a week later due to neck injury, and it was soon revealed he had two broken bones in his neck. He eventually had a halo installed in his skull which he wore for three months. Tatsu was out of action for about six months.
That’s not the only incident in which the Styles Clash injured a wrestler though.
In March of 2014, AJ Styles was taking on a British wrestler by the name of Lionheart and performed the moved as well. Lionheart also had his neck broken in a similar fashion, and he hasn’t been the same since that happened.
Lionheart has spoken publicly on a number of occasions about having the Styles Clash banned from all of professional wrestling. As of now, that ban has not been granted.
Word has it that Chris Jericho actually begged for the Styles Clash to be a part of their match at Fastlane, and the veteran got his wish. The match was performed and safely, but it doesn’t look as if AJ Styles is going to be using anything but the Calf Crusher as his finisher for the majority of his career and time in WWE.
[Image via WWE]
