LA Knight Beats AJ Styles at WWE WrestleMania 40 Following Push vs. Roman Reigns

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVApril 8, 2024

Photo credit: WWE.com

In the first WrestleMania bout of his career, LA Knight defeated AJ Styles in a grudge match on Night 2 of WrestleMania 40 on Sunday.

The Megastar was on the verge of being counted out at one point, but he recovered to deliver BFT and seal the win.

WWE @WWEYEAH!@RealLAKnight vanquished a foe in @AJStylesOrg at #WrestleMania XL!@SlimJim pic.twitter.com/so4NPD4sDb

WWE @WWEHe’s FLIPPING OUT at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/ZPWJugCh0T

B/R Wrestling @BRWrestlingAJ Styles’ new theme 🔥

(via @WWE) pic.twitter.com/o0jg8fOOsP

WWE @WWECongratulations to the @SlimJim #WrestleMania sweepstakes winner! YEAH! pic.twitter.com/4kRX0Pi36G

The rivalry between Knight and Styles dates back to the fall when the latter was originally slated to team with John Cena in a tag team contest against Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso at Fastlane.

Knight replaced Styles after he was injured in an attack by the Bloodline members, and he got the winning pinfall for his team at Fastlane.

That led to a feud with Roman Reigns over the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, and The Megastar was granted a title match at Crown Jewel in November.

Knight was already hugely popular with the WWE Universe at that point, but a program with the top guy in the business took him to new heights, and he proved in promo battles with The Tribal Chief that he wasn’t out of place at the top of the card.

The Megastar came agonizingly close to beating Reigns for the title at Crown Jewel, but The Bloodline got involved and cost him the match.

Knight continued his pursuit of the title coming out of Crown Jewel, but he wasn’t alone, as Randy Orton returned after missing a year and a half due to injury, and Styles returned from injury as well.

Styles shockingly attacked Knight in an apparent effort to get back at him since The Megastar was essentially the beneficiary of his absence.

At the Royal Rumble, Reigns defended the title against Knight, Styles and Orton in a Fatal 4-Way match and managed to retain.

Both Knight and Styles later had an opportunity to qualify for the men’s Elimination Chamber match at the same-titled premium live event with the winner earning the right to challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.

Knight qualified and Styles didn’t, but The Phenomenal One made his presence felt by hitting his rival with a steel chair at Elimination Chamber, causing him to get eliminated from the match.

A match between Knight and Styles was made official for WrestleMania shortly thereafter, and The Megastar got revenge with one of the biggest victories of his career.

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