Tag: AJ Styles

AJ Styles says WWE needs to capitalize on Chad Gable’s newfound momentum

Posted on by Bryan Rose

AJ Styles is pushing for WWE to do more with one specific wrestler.

On his Phenomenally Retro podcast, the newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame had nothing but praise for Chad Gable, who lost the mask vs. mask match that took place at AAA Noche de los Grandes last weekend. Styles pushed for WWE to do something with Gable’s newfound momentum following the match.

“He’s a bigger superstar than he’s ever been at this very moment. And if we don’t capitalize, and I say we because because I’m a part of WWE, we don’t capitalize on this, we’re dumb. We’re dummies,” he said. “He can be heavyweight champion. He’s a legit freaking pro wrestler…there’s no way somebody in the crowd’s thinking ‘I could take freaking Chad Gable.’ Uh dude, legit, he will drop you on your head and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Gable appeared on SmackDown following mask loss

After feuding with the second El Grande Americano for most the year, the two had a dramatic match in front of a hot crowd. After Gable’s loss, he commended Americano for his efforts, saying that while he will always be the original Americano, there is now only one Americano. He promised to return to AAA one day.

Gable returned to WWE television on SmackDown this past Friday, apologizing to Rey Fenix over his recent actions. Fenix accepted Gable’s apology, but informed him that he’s not the only luchador that he needs to apologize to.

AJ Styles commends Will Ospreay’s execution of Styles Clash at AEW Double or Nothing 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

AJ Styles addressed Will Ospreay using the Styles Clash on Samoa Joe at AEW Double or Nothing. He also highlighted his backstage role in WWE to shape the future of the wrestling industry,  

On the latest episode of The Phenomenally Retro Podcast Styles expressed that the wrestling move on someone like Joe is not an easy feat. Yet Ospreay managed to pull it off flawlessly. Although this is not the first time Ospreay has used the maneuver popularized by Styles. 

“I could tell you, hitting (Samoa) Joe with the Styles Clash is not an easy task. I’ve done it a couple times in my career, but man, he pulled it off flawlessly. So it’s awesome.”

Styles also talked about his transition from an in-ring performer to backstage mentor. He emphasized the focus on helping develop the next generation of talent and preparing future stars for success in the industry. 

“It scratches that itch so that I don’t have to get in the ring again. I can kind of just live through these guys and these characters that they’re doing and just being a part of what they’re doing. It just, that’s what I need for me to not say like I let me get in the ring, you know? I don’t have to have that as long as I have them. So that’s what it’s scratching that itch for me. And I’m so proud of these guys and the girls, man, to work with them and then see them do well.” 

“And of course, it’s not perfect. It’s never going to be perfect. Even when you get on the main roster, it’s not going to be perfect. But that’s what we do. If you’re mad that you screwed something up, something else on the show, great, that’s a great attitude. That way you don’t make the same mistake twice. So that’s a good thing if you’re not happy with your match, great. Let’s make sure the next one’s better. And then you’ll learn from mistakes. That’s what this whole experience is about with WWE.”

At the AEW PPV on May 24, Ospreay defeated Joe in the Owen Hart Cup Quarter Final. On this week’s edition of Dynamite, he will face Mark Davis in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Swerve Strickland and Brody King will battle for the remaining spot in the tournament. 

AJ Styles visits Florida wrestling school, Nattie’s Dungeon

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AJ Styles spent some time this week passing on his knowledge to the next generation.

The 48-year-old Styles visited Fight the World Wrestling Academy, which is located in Florida and run by NWA wrestlers Bryan Idol, Natalia Markova, and Mike Mondo. He later stopped by Natalya & TJ Wilson’s Dungeon on Wednesday to help out during a training session.

“Most people never even get CLOSE to a ring…our students are learning directly from people who’ve main-evented WrestleMania, traveled the world, and actually lived this business,” FTW Academy posted. “Thank you to The Phenomenal One AJ Styles for a great class! See you again soon.”

Wednesday was Natalya’s 44th birthday, and she said Styles’ visit was the best gift she could have gotten. She and her husband Wilson (Tyson Kidd) hold weekly, invite-only training sessions in their ring at no cost to those who attend.

“I had the most PHENOMENAL birthday today sweating with my Dungeon family alongside [AJ Styles],” Natalya posted. “AJ gave us all the answers to the test… and then some. He got in there, wrestled, pushed us, and shared his knowledge with everyone in the room.

“He’s truly one of the greatest wrestlers of our generation, and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday gift. Learning. Growing. Being challenged. Feeling inspired all over again to keep chasing my wildest dreams and to never stop striving for greatness.”

Sessions at The Dungeon are attended by up-and-coming wrestlers as well as TV names who are looking to work on things. WWE’s Ilja Dragunov, who is there regularly, was among those in attendance this week.

AJ Styles’ post-retirement WWE role —

Styles had his final match this January, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April, and now works for the company in a behind-the-scenes capacity. His exact role isn’t fully set in stone, but Styles has enjoyed working in recruitment and helping out with the WWE ID development program. Because he has so much experience on the indies, that has been a natural fit for Styles.

Wednesday also saw John Cena, a WWE ambassador in his post-retirement life, spend some time with wrestlers at the WWE Performance Center.

AJ Styles scraps Kenny Omega ‘dream match’ idea

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles has ruled out the possibility of facing AEW’s Kenny Omega in a dream match.

Despite their time together in NJPW, Omega and Styles never faced each other in singles action on a mainstream platform. Recently speaking on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles addressed the possibility of him facing Omega and completely scrapped the chances.

“The same dream match that everybody wants me to have with Kenny Omega. The match that’s never gonna happen unless something crazy happens, and I can’t imagine that.

“Kenny’s my buddy, so to be in the ring with him would be fun, and we’d tear the house down, I have no doubt about that. But again, that’s not gonna happen,” Styles said.

The last time the two shared the ring together was on the January 5, 2016, edition of NJPW New Year Dash 2016, where he and Omega teamed up to defeat the duo of Shinsuke Nakamura and YOSHI-HASHI. Shortly after the win, Omega and the rest of the Bullet Club turned against Styles and kicked him out of the stable. Following this, Styles departed NJPW and made his WWE debut, where he stayed for a decade and retired earlier this year.

While Omega and Styles never wrestled at a mainstream platform, the two once wrestled each other almost twenty years ago at PCW Back To School Bash, where Omega defeated Styles.

AJ Styles says ‘it’s important’ for talents like Naraku to start WWE run with NXT 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

AJ Styles addressed Naraku debuting on NXT over the main roster. Before signing with WWE, there it was reported that he was keen to start with NXT to acquaint himself with the workaround in the company. 

On the latest episode of The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles cited that Shinsuke Nakamura also competed on NXT. He had an extensive career on NJPW for nearly 14 years before his WWE transition, that too on their developmental brand. 

“Shinsuke Nakamura was also in NXT. I’m just throwing that out there. Listen, I think there’s certain things that we all need to learn in NXT, that will prepare us for the main roster. Even I had to learn quick ‘Holy crap, this they don’t do this, they do this, this. It was a learning process and I had to learn quick because I was on there. I couldn’t afford to screw up or mess up or whatever it is you want to call it. I wanted to stay on the main roster and I had to impress the guy in charge.”

“So, we don’t want anybody to go up to the main roster and have to learn like that. I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s better to go (to NXT). It’s just a smooth transition.”

Styles emphasized the imperativeness of talents familiarizing themselves with WWE’s structure of camera angles and production which is not a common concept in Japan. 

“Because you don’t do that in Japan. There’s no producers in Japan. Because it doesn’t matter where the cameras are, they just shoot. They don’t know. At least when I was there, they didn’t know that it was entertainment. It was a sport. So the camera guys were not involved in the booking meetings, whatever, the meetings in general. We need to know where all this stuff is. It’s important. At least I had TNA. Before I had New Japan, I was in TNA. I knew where the cameras were, and I knew to play to the cameras. But still, there’s certain things that we want to have in place before you go to the main roster.”

On the April 28 edition of NXT, Naraku made his debut on the promotion and confronted Tony D’Angelo. His identity was referenced as a ‘former IWGP champion’. Shortly after his WWE ring name was confirmed.  

Last weekend, Naraku and IYO SKY announced their wedding on social media. 

AJ Styles praises Danhausen in WWE: ‘He’s doing a great job and this is what we need’

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

AJ Styles praised Danhausen’s WWE contributions within a few months of his debut. 

Speaking on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles commended Danhausen’s comedic role in WWE citing the need for entertainment in wrestling, an aspect he truly understands. 

“He’s doing a great job, and this is what we need. A lot of people don’t understand it. We need a little bit of everything. We want to make sure you get the entertainment from wrestling, but also we want to make you laugh, too, and we got the storylines. We want to give you a little bit of everything. Danhausen is definitely filling the need.”

Styles also talked about his backstage roles in WWE following retirement, and revealed assisting with production for Evolve.

“I was able to see that and work with them. I wasn’t an agent or a producer, as we call it now. But there was, one of our producers needed a little help because he was doing a lot. So I was like, ‘Dude, if you want me to, I’ll do it. I have no problem doing it, and that includes putting the headset on, and calling the match to the TV which I had no idea how to do. But they came to me and was like, ‘Actually dude, you did a really good job because you didn’t say too much. You said enough, you told us where to be, what’s about to happen, where you need cameras.’” 

Danhausen debuted in WWE at Elimination Chamber and competed in his first Premium Live Event match at Backlash. 

Meanwhile, Styles has taken on several backstage roles to enhance WWE’s developmental talent after officially retiring from in-ring competition. 

AJ Styles: ‘I know Asuka will be a Hall of Famer’

Posted on by Ian Carey

More WWE wrestlers are posting to social media regarding Asuka.

Asuka is said to be semi-retired following her match against IYO SKY at WWE Backlash on Saturday.

While several WWE wrestlers have been posting tributes to her online, nobody from the company has explained why they are doing so right now.

AJ Styles wrote that he “doesn’t know the facts,” but knows Asuka will be in the WWE Hall of Fame someday.

“I don’t know the facts, but I know @wwe_asuka will be a Hall of Famer.”

Michin, Nattie, Bayley, TNA’s Ash By Elegance, and others have been sharing tributes to Asuka as well.

Michin wrote, “We love Asuka around here 💙”

Rhea Ripley, Nattie, and others commented on the match between IYO SKY and Asuka at Backlash:

Ripley wrote, “Iyo Sky vs Asuka 👏🏽Phenomenal! Best of the best! You did it
@Iyo_SkyWWE 🥹🖤✨Proud of you!”

Nattie wrote, “Iyo and Asuka had such an incredible match tonight. You can feel their passion and how both are true leaders in the ring wanting to GIVE the most to eachother.”

Bayley wrote, “No matter what, where, or when…Iyo Sky and Asuka are two of the rarest wrestlers in the entire world.”

Ash By Elegance wrote, “Blessed to have been Asuka’s first match in
@WWE! Honored… Legend! ➡️ Sexy muscle friend”

AJ Styles links wrestlers’ struggles to call matches in real time to lack of live events 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

AJ Styles believes WWE wrestlers are unable to call matches and improvise in the ring due to a decline in live events.

On the latest edition of the Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles discussed why wrestlers have a difficult time calling matches on the fly in the ring. He implicated the lack of live events being a major factor. 

“Here’s what’s hard with that now, I think a lot of the older guys who said ‘Nah, we’ll call it the ring, kid’, well, a lot of times they had the ability to wrestle so many different guys and they were able to call it in the ring because they weren’t sidelined by time limits or whatever. You have to hit your times or they’ve wrestled the guy so many times before. Of course you can call it, I could call a lot of things. the more I wrestle one guy ‘Hey man,we’ll just do what we did here’ and boom and it’s that quick but we’re not having live events like that anymore so guys aren’t getting any reps with each other.”

“So I think that it’s going to be a lot harder to call, yeah sure, we can call the basic stuff but sometimes basic isn’t very entertaining and that’s our job is to be as entertaining as we possibly can so I think that’s going to be more difficult as time goes on.”

Styles emphasized the diversity and development of in-ring styles and move sets the new talents are bringing in. 

“There’s a lot of different styles that we now bring to the ring. It’s not the same. It’s not just shoulder tackles, grab hold, suplex, power slams, not a finish, there’s a lot of different things that, and a lot of different moves that guys and girls do. It’s pretty unbelievable. In fact, when you think about it diving out of the ring and stuff all these things have to take place I don’t know that it could be done like that as well and as flawless as it was back then because it was so basic back then.” 

“And that’s another thing that once you get to the ring, there will be some things where we’ll rehearse. And by rehearse, we’re not rehearsing the wrestling. We’re not doing that. We want to see what cameras are going to be in the position that we’re doing a certain thing so we get the best shot on the finish. That’s kind of what we rehearse or maybe somebody does a run in, want to see how everything’s done so that we get the best shot. So those things happen.” 

Styles retired from wrestling after a 26-year career at the Royal Rumble this year. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and has taken on backstage duties at the Performance Center post-retirement. 

AJ Styles endorses Fatal Influence’s heel work on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

AJ Styles gave Fatal Influence the ultimate heel endorsement for their impact within their limited duration on WWE SmackDown. 

On the latest episode of the Phenomenally Retro Podcast Styles commended Fatal Influence’s heel work and reactions from fans despite their appearances on two episodes of SmackDown.

“Well, what I like about that group is, they look like the kind of people that would bully my daughter. Yeah. That makes me mad. And so I was like ‘Oh, I was like, they’re doing so good, you know, it’s the opposite how I would feel’ but knowing what they’re doing and how they’re doing their job and they’re doing it well ‘This is it.’ And so I’m like, ‘All right, keep doing what you’re doing. This is good. This is good stuff.’” 

Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid officially transitioned to the main roster on the SmackDown after WrestleMania. For Jayne it was a comeback after her participation in the Women’s Tag Team Titles Tournament with Gigi Dolin in August 2022. 

Fatal Influence interrupted Paige and Brie Bella’s title defense against Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Later that night, Jayne confronted Rhea Ripley and faced her in a singles match. The group drew immediate boos from fans with their presence which established themselves as heels. 

Last week, Jayne defeated Flair, with some assistance from Reid and Henley, further positioning their stance on the SmackDown roster. 

AJ Styles says he was ‘caught off guard’ by Kairi Sane’s WWE exit

Posted on by Ian Carey

AJ Styles says he was caught off guard by Kairi Sane’s WWE departure.

Sane was one of several names part of WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts revealed last week.

On an episode of his Phenomenally Retro podcast published on Sunday, Styles said he doesn’t have any answers for what led to Sane exiting the company, but did say he felt she was doing some of the best work of her career.

Styles said:

“We don’t know exactly what the case is. That one caught me off guard as well because it was a great tag team thing. I feel like Kairi is doing her best work as of now. I wish I had answers. I don’t have these answers for you guys. I don’t. I don’t know what this means for her. I don’t know. I mean, is she done wrestling? Is she going to go back to Stardom? What’s next for Kairi Sane? But I know that she was loved and she was amazing. Yeah, I just hate that.”

Styles also addressed the belief that Sane wanted to return to Japan.

“I will say this: the first time that she left, she went home to Japan. And I don’t know if that had anything to do with this. I doubt it was her choice because I felt like she was really rolling well. But I don’t know. I’m just saying that she went back to Japan last time that she left. I think she wanted to go home.

“So I get it. Given the opportunity, living in another country, I’d always want to go home myself.”

Kairi Sane’s WWE exit

Dave Meltzer wrote in Friday’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE being under the impression that Sane would like to move back to Japan at some point factored into its decision to release her.

Meltzer wrote:

“We were told part of it was the belief she wanted to move back to Japan at some point and with that knowledge it was part of the decision making.”

Sane has posted to social media that she did not “walk away” from WWE last week.

Styles’ full podcast is available below. The video is cued to his comments about the recent WWE releases.

AJ Styles comes forward with more fan incidents from WWE WrestleMania weekend 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

AJ Styles shared his experience with fans amid hotel security concerns during WWE WrestleMania weekend. 

Styles discussed the numerous fan incidents with WWE stars during WrestleMania weekend on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast. He explained that many people assume wrestlers are not exhausted after meet-and-greet events, but in reality they can be physically and mentally draining. 

“Well, there you know, here’s the thing that fans got to accept. Even though, just because we’re walking through the hotel to get to our room, we’re not even hanging out. We’re just trying to get to our room. We have been at signings all day and you get kind of exhausted because we’re trying to be in a good mood for you at that point. Especially for people who paid to see it. We want to make sure you get your money’s worth. And it’s a little exhausting. I know you’re like, ‘Well, what are you gonna do? All you do is stand there.’ But we’re doing it for a couple hours,” said Styles. 

Styles stated how a person hounded him for a photo despite refusing the request since he was with his family. 

“I don’t think anybody was impolite to a degree. For instance, I’m not taking pictures because once I start, I’ll never stop. So if I have my family with me, I can’t do that. I said, ‘Hey, I’m not taking pictures right now. I’m sorry.’ And they just swarmed me like bees. Even this one guy, even though I told him no pictures, he was walking and laying on me and stuff like that. I’m like, ‘Whoa! Whoa!’ And finally, security was able to find me and take me to the elevator.”

“I understand that they think they know the superstars because they’ve watched them for so long, but at the same time, you’ve got to remember that they’re real people. It can get overwhelming when that many people swarm you like that. I get it. No means no with pictures and whatnot. If they ask you not to, chill out.“ 

Following the event, there has been a surge in stories and clips shared by WWE talents and fans alike highlighting hotel security concerns. 

Styles was in Las Vegas to be honored as a WWE Hall of Fame inductee on April 17. He officially retired from in-ring competition and competed in his last match at the Royal Rumble this year. 

AJ Styles ‘wearing a couple of different hats’ in post-retirement WWE role

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AJ Styles’ post-retirement WWE position is still fluid as he looks to settle into the right role for him.

Speaking with WWE Now during WrestleMania weekend, Styles said he’s “wearing a couple of different hats” as he settles into his new behind-the-scenes career after retirement. Styles is working on the recruiting end of things and helping out with WWE’s ID program for independent wrestlers. If he gets too busy with all that he’s doing, he’ll adjust and only focus on one thing.

“I’m wearing a couple of different hats right now and we’ll see which one sticks,” he said. “And things change quite often. So when I get too busy to do all these different hats that I’m trying to wear and I have to focus on one, I’ll let you know which one that is. But it is recruiting, it is working with WWE ID.

“That’s a big part of the things that I know a lot about, the independents. And I know there’s a lot of talent like me who didn’t have a lot of money. So if we can get them a little bit more experience, a little bit more cash in the pockets, they’re able to get that, it’ll be a big thing for them.”

Styles, who retired from the ring at Royal Rumble 2026, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last Friday. As much as he enjoyed wrestling, Styles told WWE Now that it’s nice to know that he doesn’t have to hurt himself for a living anymore. As he got older, wrestling started to hurt more and more. He does not miss competing in the ring and is happy to help shape the future of the industry in his new role.

This job on the recruitment side of things is a position that Styles landed on after sitting in on creative and production meetings, which did not end up being the correct fit.

John Cena says wrestling retirements carry ‘weight and importance’

Posted on by Ian Carey

John Cena says when wrestlers tell fans they are retiring, that has weight and importance.

Cena spoke with TMZ Sports on the red carpet of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday. He was asked about AJ Styles’ retirement and whether he believes Styles will stay retired. Cena responded by saying he hopes to set a trend of wrestlers staying retired.

Cena said:

“I’m one of those folks who will be the first wrestler to actually retire and I hope I set a trend and he’s the second,” Cena said, referring to Styles.

“I think it’s very important that we respect our audience and when they invest in us to see us for the last time, I think that that has weight and importance.”

Styles has said that he would be interested in coming out of retirement for the chance to wrestle with his son, who is training to be a wrestler. Cena continued that if Styles has the opportunity to wrestle with his son, he should do so, and wrestling fans would accept that.

Cena continued:

“AJ’s path was a little different than mine. I know his son is also in the business. So, as much as selfishly I want to say like, ‘Oh, you’re retired, why don’t you stay retired?’ If he has a chance to wrestle with his son, he should take it. And I think the audience would want to see that. But hopefully he wouldn’t say that if he didn’t feel it was time to step away.”

Styles was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 shortly after this interview took place. He was inducted by Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows to close the ceremony.

Cena’s full discussion with TMZ Sports is available below.

Former Tag Team Champions induct AJ Styles into WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former WWE RAW Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers, aka The OC, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, officially inducted AJ Styles into the 2026 Hall of Fame.

In the final induction of the night, Anderson and Gallows walked out to induct their long-time partner and close friend, Styles, into the ceremony.

The former tag team champions reflected on their journey and friendship with Styles and his emergence into the promotion. Anderson and Gallows further talked about Styles inspiring an entire generation of pro-wrestlers, as well as his journey from TNA to Bullet Club to WWE. The duo then introduced Styles by performing the iconic Two Sweet move on the big stage.

Styles closed the night speaking about his career, expressing his gratitude to all the opponents he faced throughout his career, as well as all the promotions and bookers he worked for. Answering the question of whether he misses wrestling, Styles answered “no.” He went on to justify his answer and how good he feels staying close to his family now.

Styles, 48, finished a career spanning over two decades and received his deserved flowers at the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. Widely known for his run in TNA, Styles later moved on to Japan before settling down in WWE.

Styles made his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble and stayed at the promotion for a decade before retiring at the 2026 Royal Rumble.

WWE Hall of Fame 2026 inductions

The other inductions of the 2026 class of WWE Hall of Fame included Stephanie McMahon, Demolition (Ax and Smash), Dennis Rodman, Psycho Sid, Bad News Brown, and Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III.

McMahon was inducted by her three daughters and her mother, Linda McMahon. While Demolition was inducted by Arn Anderson, Haku, and The Warlord. Dennis Rodman was inducted by Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman, while the Hogan vs. Andre the Giant WrestleMania III match was inducted into the Immortal Moment category by Jimmy Hart.

AJ Styles says he found the ‘right person’ for WWE Hall of Fame induction

Posted on by Ian Carey

AJ Styles addressed his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in a new interview.

Styles appeared on an episode of The Nikki & Brie Show that was released on April 17. He was asked if he’s nervous for his speech at the ceremony.

Styles said:

“Anxious to get it over with, I think. When I’m nervous or whatever it is I may be feeling, I just wanna get it over with. I don’t wanna have to deal with it. I’ll be honest with you, WrestleMania is one of those things I was like, let’s just get it over with. Let’s just get through this, because there is so much going on.” 

He was also asked if it was difficult to find the right person to induct him. Styles said:

“It was, but some of them couldn’t induct me, which I get it. It’s fine. But I found the right person.”

The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 ceremony is set to take place at midnight Eastern / 9 p.m. local time at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

Styles and Stephanie McMahon are the co-headliners of this year’s class. Also to be inducted this year are Dennis Rodman in the celebrity wing, Sid and Bad News Brown in the legacy wing, and Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III as an immortal moment.

The full episode of The Nikki & Brie Show is below. The video is cued to Styles’ comments about his Hall of Fame induction.