AJ Styles And Arik Cannon Exchange Words Over Claim That Avery Styles Didn’t Help At GCW Show

AJ Styles and Arik Cannon exchanged words online.

During a recent interview with The Wrestling Classic, Nattie talked about AJ Styles’ son, Avery Styles. She met him during his match against Marcus Mathers at GCW Rude Awakening, where he lost. Nattie said that this showed Avery wanted to “pay his dues.”

A transcription of this was posted on Fightful’s X account, which wrestler Arik Cannon responded to. He said:

“As someone who watched this kid skirt away from helping with a single thing at this very show…

I’d just like to say: L O F’ING L !”

Arik’s response caught the attention of AJ Styles, who defended his son, saying Avery was hired to wrestle on the show and not help with other things.

“He was paid to wrestle at GCW, not help you put up and take down the ring. That sounds like your job. You just sound like a jealous douche.”

Arik’s response to this:

“I have all of the respect in the world for you, AJ. I understand why you’d defend your son, and it is admirable.

But the fact remains… He can stay “AJ’s kid”, continue to skirt responsibility, & paying dues.

Or he can earn the respect of his peers, & stand on his own as Avery.”

Then, The Phenomenal One said that while Avery is grateful for the opportunity, a veteran wrestler like him would’ve talked to him privately about this.

“You don’t ask someone to have dinner at your house and have them do the dishes. He was asked to wrestle at GCW. Although grateful for the opportunity, a vet would have talked to him professionally or at least face to face.”

Arik said that Avery was asked to help with the chairs twice, but he hid in the locker room instead.

“A 20+ year vet & promoter asked him to help w/ the chairs. TWICE! Instead of helping, he hid in the locker room until everything was done.

My 2 cents isn’t going to affect his future… But with all due respect, you stating he doesn’t need to help is only doing him a disservice.”

A 20+ year vet & promoter asked him to help w/ the chairs. TWICE! Instead of helping, he hid in the locker room until everything was done.

My 2 cents isn’t going to affect his future… But with all due respect, you stating he doesn’t need to help is only doing him a disservice.

— Arik Cannon (@arikcannon) August 9, 2026

Fans can read Nattie’s comments on Avery Styles by clicking here.