As noted before, WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles and indies wrestler Arik Cannon were involved in an online incident on social media on Saturday over an argument revolving around Cannon’s claims that Styles’ son Avery did not help out when asked at Game Changer Wrestling’s event this past July and Styles stating that his son was only paid to wrestle and not do other work. This dispute originated after Cannon had responded to recent comments from Nattie who had praised Avery for being someone who was earning and paying his dues for his wrestling career.
Cannon responded earlier today on Twitter stating that the only downside to him having an online interaction with AJ was having to deal with AJ’s fans afterwards. Cannon claimed that those fans left him negative messages in his notifications that he described as being “filled with quite literally the dumbest, most ignorant segment of pro wrestling fandom.”
“The only downside to having an online interaction with someone like AJ Styles, is his following. His followers.
My notifications are currently filled with quite literally the dumbest, most ignorant segment of pro wrestling fandom.”
The only downside to having an online interaction with someone like AJ Styles, is his following. His followers.
— Arik Cannon (@arikcannon) August 9, 2026
My notifications are currently filled with quite literally the dumbest, most ignorant segment of pro wrestling fandom.
Former AEW and indies and current WWE talent Lexis King responded earlier today on Twitter about Cannon’s comments directed at Avery and him also being the son of a legendary wrestler and how he was also treated differently compared to other wrestlers who didn’t come from that same background in regards to paying dues.
“As someone who has walked in this kid’s very shoes, being the son of a legendary high flyer and taking to the indies for the first time, all I can say is that it is a different path than most.
I was 5 matches in and promoters would fly me in, tell me to hang out at the hotel until call time and when I’d get there the ring would already be set up.
To put it plainly, people treat you differently when you are one of us and it’s not his fault.
There’s a different type of baggage this boy carries, an expectation to live up to his father’s greatness that most will never understand.
I hadn’t set up or tore down a single ring until I got to NXT but yet I’m so glad I started because it taught me a lot about the work that goes into making the magic that is pro wrestling.
I was treated like royalty by everyone in the business until I walked into NXT and the leadership here humbled me and treated me like everyone else.
It’s up to the leadership on the indies to show him the way. He’s putting his body on the line and drawing extra eyes for your show at a young age and you wanna blast him on the internet instead of talking to him in person.
Well guess what Arik? Your tweet didn’t sell any more tickets for the next show but I bet Avery Styles being on the card will…
Because it’s his BIRTHRIGHT 👑👑👑👑👑”
As someone who has walked in this kid’s very shoes, being the son of a legendary high flyer and taking to the indies for the first time, all I can say is that it is a different path than most.
— King (@LexisKingWWE) August 9, 2026
I was 5 matches in and promoters would fly me in, tell me to hang out at the hotel… https://t.co/tTPVjSV5IJ
In response to a fan on Twitter claiming that Avery being on the card of indies shows isn’t selling tickets and instead its due to his famous father being there or people expecting him to show up, King responded stating:
“My father didn’t make it to any of my indie shows and yet people still came out of interest to see my potential and their connection they had my with father.
I’m blessed to say that many fans still share that connection and have passed it along to me.
It is however a blessing that can sometimes be a burden.”
My father didn’t make it to any of my indie shows and yet people still came out of interest to see my potential and their connection they had my with father.
— King (@LexisKingWWE) August 9, 2026
I’m blessed to say that many fans still share that connection and have passed it along to me.
It is however a blessing… https://t.co/oWi61HDUs7
AJ Styles & Arik Cannon Get Into Argument on Social Media Over Claims Avery Styles Did Not Help Out at GCW Event
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