Nick Aldis has extended an invitation to AJ Styles for this Friday’s episode of SmackDown, days after Styles agreed to put his career on the line against Gunther at the Royal Rumble.
In a social media video released on Thursday, the on-screen SmackDown general manager framed the invite as a chance to speak with an “old friend,” while calling the brand “the house that AJ Styles built.”
Before he puts his career on the line at the Royal Rumble, I’d like to take this chance to formally invite the phenomenal AJ Styles to SmackDown this week… After all, SmackDown is the house that AJ Styles built. My door is always open, AJ. Think about it.
Styles accepted the career stipulation on Monday’s Raw, and WWE has since promoted Styles vs. Gunther for Royal Rumble on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Aldis’ “old friend” line also has real history behind it. Before joining WWE, Aldis worked as Magnus in TNA/Impact Wrestling and faced Styles in the Bound for Glory Series final in 2013. The two later met again in early 2014, when Magnus defeated Styles in a title unification match that became Styles’ final match with the company.
Friday’s SmackDown takes place at Montreal’s Bell Centre. WWE’s announced lineup includes:
- Nathan Frazer vs. Johnny Gargano
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 contenders match: Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. Kiana James & Giulia vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
- WWE Tag Team Championships: The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. MFT
- Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest
- AJ Styles invited to appear
.@RealNickAldis invites @AJStylesOrg to SmackDown this week… 👀
📺: FRIDAY 8e/7c on @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/6mUdcumdUy
— WWE (@WWE) January 22, 2026
