On November 23, AJ Ferrari took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to hype up his younger brother Angelo—and honestly, who wouldn’t? The former NCAA champ has never been shy about sharing his Ferrari mindset on social media, but this time he had plenty to unpack. First up, Angelo got his well-deserved flowers. As a freshman for the Hawkeyes, the younger Ferrari pulled off a jaw-dropping upset that had everyone talking. AJ didn’t hold back, making sure his brother got his flowers. But after the praise, AJ dropped a mic-worthy line: “The Ferrari Mindset of True Champion. Never Satisfied.”

And just like that, the focus shifted. Fans couldn’t help but ask: What about AJ’s own wrestling hustle? So far this season, AJ’s only shown up for two matches, with one more on the calendar that seems to be slipping through his fingers. Wrestling fans aren’t exactly thrilled with how AJ’s situation is unfolding—and let’s just say, the Dallas native is feeling the heat.

AJ Ferrari misses a good opportunity on the mat 

The 2024 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational could have been the chance for AJ Ferrari. Widely claimed as the toughest regular-season contest, the CKLV has so many stars in the list of competitors. Such as? In the 197-pound category, AJ Ferrari registered as the key wrestler. Apart from him, the same weight bracket had Jacob Cardenas (Michigan) and Zach Glazier (South Dakota State). So, matches against them had been on the cards. After the confrontation with Glazier in the Soldier Salute last year, it could have been a return game for AJ to settle the score. But everything is in thin air now. The latest official update shows the 23-year-old backing out of CKLV because of his injury. 

On December 5, Christian Pyles broke the news on X. However, the FloWrestling content director also added, “He [AJ Ferrari] will be back soon.” But the fans have already missed the mouthwatering matchups in the 197 category. Additionally, in his two matches this season so far, Ferrari didn’t have many chances to prove his mettle. The wrestling fans, however, had been waiting to see him for a long time. 

Especially after his successful 2021 season, this time, the wrestler created a lot of waves with his signing up for CSUB. His life story, including his dismissal from Oklahoma, made his story trend once. Now add his tantrums with Glazier last year. Now, all eyes were on the CKLV Invitational to see if AJ could deliver another chapter of his wild story. But instead, things feel like they’ve hit a foggy standstill. Fans haven’t exactly been forgiving either, flooding social media with heated debates about what’s next for the Dallas native.

‘Mr. Fast Twitch’ compared to ‘the Problem Child’

Fans on X didn’t hold back their frustration after AJ Ferrari missed the CKLV Invitational, with one particularly salty comment reading, “Scarred of glazier so pathetic.” The tension between Ferrari and Zach Glazier has been brewing since last year’s Soldier Salute, where AJ snatched a sudden victory but found himself in hot water afterward. Predicted to be future Iowa Hawkeyes teammates, the two clashed on the mat—and off it. AJ’s questionable post-match gestures and a heated confrontation with Glazier got him disqualified, forcing an apology from the elder Ferrari on social media.

The CKLV contest was supposed to set the stage for a rematch, and fans speculated it could have gone Glazier’s way this time, given his current form. Some even accused AJ of ducking the challenge by faking an injury. One fan bluntly commented, “def not injury related lmao.” While no official update has confirmed or denied the claims, AJ’s absence has certainly dampened his momentum this season. Fans are comparing AJ Ferrari’s flair for drama to the Problem Child himself, questioning the chaos surrounding him. Adding to the drama, a fan quipped, “Why does he feel like the Jake Paul of wrestling?”—a nod to Jake Paul’s knack for stirring controversy and scripting dramatic narratives.

Amid the backlash, a few supporters came to Ferrari’s defense. One sympathizer wrote, “Very Sad. Everyone loses. Hope he is well soon,” while another lamented, “Breaks my heart.” After his November victory over Nick Stemmet, the CKLV could have been a turning point for AJ’s season. Instead, fans will now have to wait a bit longer to see Mr. Fast Twitch back in action. Will he silence the critics or add more fuel to the fire? Stay tuned.