Wrestler Pays Tribute to WWE Star AJ Styles, But Faced Criticism For It

An indie wrestler paid tribute to the Phenomenal AJ Styles, but faced criticism despite the sweet act.

On September 21, 2025, WrestlePro held its Killer Smokeshow event in Rahway, New Jersey, at the Rahway Rec Center. The main event featured Killer Kross facing Richard Holliday. The match card also included Max Caster defending the WrestlePro Gold Championship against CPA and a first-time singles bout between Mike Santana and Jordan Oliver.

During the headliner, Holliday landed a Styles Clash on Killer Kross, a move made famous by WWE star AJ Styles. The live commentator immediately called the use of the move ‘disrespectful,’ sparking debate among viewers.

After the show, Holliday posted a clip of the Styles Clash on X, writing,

Hey @AJStylesOrg I hit the Styles Clash on Kross and the commentator said it was ‘disrespectfulâ€. Cmon, seems pretty respectful to me!â€

Hey @AJStylesOrg i hit the Styles Clash on Kross and the commentator said it was “disrespectfulâ€

Cmon, seems pretty respectful to me! pic.twitter.com/xRAVh6vS8Q

— Richard Holliday (@MostMarketable) September 30, 2025

His tweet drew swift attention. Wrestling fans praised Holliday for honoring Stylesâ€s signature maneuver, noting that tribute moves have long been part of wrestling tradition. Richard Holliday, who debuted in 2018, is known for blending athleticism with showmanship. His execution of the Styles Clash, lifting Kross and dropping him face-first, garnered both cheers and gasps from the Rahway crowd.

AJ Styles’ Signature Move Used by John Cena

This was not the first time someone delivered the Styles Clash on their opponent. On August 31, John Cena paid homage to one of the greatest rivals of his wrestling career by delivering the same move on Logan Paul at Clash in Paris.

John Cena just hit Logan Paul with a STYLES CLASH!!!! 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/x9hJ2SdL7D

— WWE (@WWE) August 31, 2025

He paid homage to multiple wrestlers, including Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler. During his US Title open challenge match against Sami Zayn, Cena paid homage to Edge by delivering a Spear to Zayn. The Rated-R superstar reciprocated it during AEW All Out by delivering the ‘You can’t see me’ taunt, followed by Five Knuckle Shuffle and the Attitude Adjustment.

Related read: “I Get To Beat Up John Cena†– AJ Styles Gloats Ahead of WWE Crown Jewel Match

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