AJ Styles On Leaving TNA Vs. NJPW, If Would Have Changed His Name In WWE, Giving Advice Backstage
Recently, 'The Phenomenal One' AJ Styles was a guest on Sam Roberts' Wrestling Podcast. Styles discussed his departure from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, whether he was willing to change his ring name for his WWE run, and whether he has taken on a mentorship role behind-the-scenes at WWE.
According to Styles, leaving New Japan was a very difficult decision. The fact that Shinsuke Nakamura told the company of his own departure weeks prior to Styles doing so made it even more difficult.
"I hear Nakamura on Christmas Eve told New Japan that he was leaving and I'm going, 'oh my God! Oh God!'. I was like, 'whoa' and then knowing that you're going to have to tell them in a couple weeks that, 'hey, guess what [I'm leaving too].'"
See Also: AJ Styles Talks To Wrestling Inc. About Wrestling Shinsuke Nakamura, How NJPW Built The Match
Styles admitted that while he did not shed a tear when he left TNA, leaving New Japan was a very emotional experience.
"It was very hard. I mean, New Japan is a great place to work. I mean, they're standup guys. [I] can't say enough good things about them. I'm going to tell you guys this. I wish I would have told them this, the guys at New Japan this. I didn't shed one tear when I left TNA. I was very emotional when I left New Japan." Styles continued, "[there] was a chip on my shoulder when I left [TNA], but, New Japan, I have nothing but respect for them, and the respect that they showed me, I can't express how much that meant to me."
Styles claimed that he was willing to change his ring name or even work in NXT prior to debuting on WWE's main roster; however, the number one contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship stated that it all worked out for the best.
"'Oh, he's BJ Smiles!', like I'm a wrestler from Fire Pro Wrestling," Styles joked. "I literally was like, 'you know what, man? I'll do whatever you guys want to do. Sure, I'd like to keep my name, but who wouldn't? But that's not going to stop me from going to the WWE. I want to do what's best for my family and my career, so if it works out, it works out [and] if it doesn't, it doesn't.' A lot of prayer went to this stuff, but everything worked out the way that it should've and they knew, I mean, it just goes to show how smart they are as well, because when the word 'phenomenal' popped on that screen [at WWE Royal Rumble 2016], it was like, that was the right thing to do."
When asked whether he has taken on a mentorship role at WWE, given his vast experience in professional wrestling, Styles said that he tries to defer to WWE personnel tasked with training and teaching young talents. With that said, he stated that he chimes on occasion and he really likes working with Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch.
"Well, I make sure I try not stepping on any toes because I know that they're learning from other people and I don't want to step on anybody's toes because they have their way of doing things. But, in some instances, I'll be like, I'll watch and I can't help myself and I'm like, 'hey, you know what would be good right here?' and just stuff like adding stuff to what they've already done. And some of my favorite people to work with are like Charlotte, and Sasha, and Becky. Those girls are awesome and they're all about taking it to the next level. Just talking to them [and] hearing them get excited about the match and how awesome it's going to be gets me excited. I want to help with that."
In addition to these topics, Styles talked about his WWE debut, turning down a developmental deal from the company in 2002, and much more. Click here to listen to the podcast. If you use any of the quotes that appear in this article, please credit Sam Roberts' Wrestling Podcast with an H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Source: Sam Roberts? Wrestling Podcast