Karrion Kross didnt just lose to AJ Styles on the April 14, 2025 episode of WWE RAWhe left fans with one of the most haunting promos of his career, and all eyes are now on what happens next.
After suffering a defeat in his first singles match on RAW since July 2024, Kross took to social media to unload a powerful post-match message. In his own words, hes tired, overlooked, and fed upbut hes also laser-focused on what AJ Styles needs to become heading into WrestleMania 41.
You know, I got a few reasons to be upset right now, Kross began. Last time I had a single match on Monday Night RAW was July, 2024, so I got a shot tonight, first time on Netflix, and I lost. Im also not on WrestleMania in my home of Las Vegas.
Despite his disappointment, Kross shifted gears to a more philosophical tone, praising one thing: the glimpse of the old AJ Styles that he saw in the match.
I got some other things to be happy about. Like tomorrow morning Im gonna wake up next to a naked Scarlett Bordeaux. I mean, thats great. This other thing though, no offense, Im really happy about right now, is it got this sliver of the man that Ive been trying to pull outta AJ Stylesthe AJ you would need to win at WrestleMania and beat Logan Paul.
Then, the promo took a personal turn as Kross dug deep into Styles motivations, calling out the internal guilt AJ may be hiding.
And it finally dawned on me. I finally get it. Why youre trying so hard to be this pave the way, show everybody the right waythis nonsense. Its because youre still in your head about what you did to Cody Rhodesfaking your retirement. You think you have to prove to these people that youre not that guy anymore. You are. Youll always be that guy.
Kross didnt mince words about the nature of change in professional wrestling either.
We are everything we have ever done in our lives. This whole change thing change does not mean you un-become something. These people will let it go, cause they just want violence. I dont know why Im the only guy whos figured that out around here.
And with that, he laid the pressure squarely on Styles shoulders for WrestleMania.
Please, AJ, do what needs to be done tomorrow. Do what needs to be done the next day and the day after that, after that, until you get to Mania and then moving forward. Because you winning at Mania represents so much more than you understand. All of us in the locker room, everything weve been through to get here and say we are WWE Superstarsit has to mean something, man.
It has to mean something and its on you. And if you lose, then maybe we all should have been YouTube stars. Its on you, AJ. I need you to make me believe I didnt subject myself to 11 years of this for nothing. You want real, Allen? Its real now. Its real time for you to be real at WrestleMania.
Whether or not Styles will respond is unclearbut Kross just turned AJs showdown with Logan Paul into something much deeper than a grudge match. Its about legacy. Its about identity. And according to Krossits about the soul of WWE itself.
Do you think Karrion Kross made valid points about AJ Styles and the state of the WWE locker room? Should he be featured more prominently on WWE programming? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Please credit Ringside News when using the transcription above.
