Lexis King responds to Arik Cannon’s comments on AJ Styles’ son

WWE’s Lexis King has responded to Arik Cannon’s recent remarks on AJ Styles’ son, Avery Styles.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, independent wrestler Arik Cannon reacted to Nattie’s comments on Avery Styles paying his dues in wrestling. Reacting to Nattie, Cannon took a shot at the young Avery Styles for not helping with chairs at a GCW show last Saturday.

This soon sparked a back-and-forth exchange between Cannon and WWE Hall of Famer and Styles’ father, AJ Styles. As the two continued taking shots at each other, wrestling legend Brian Pillman’s son, Lexis King, also responded to Cannon’s comments.

“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 wrote, while bringing up his own example as a legend’s son.

“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,” he further added.

“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,” he finished.

Lexis King further shares his perspective on AJ Styles’ son’s situation

While several pro-wrestlers grind in the independent circuit for years before making it to mainstream promotions, a few others are born with the privilege of being in wrestling families. Lexis King further opened up and shared another comment, where he noted how their privilege can become 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. 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,” he said.