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Showing posts with label AJ Styles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AJ Styles. Show all posts

July 14, 2024

AJ Styles Believes Triple H Is Trying To Make Pro Wrestling Bigger

Ahead of his in-ring debut with Pro Wrestling NOAH, AJ Styles is singing the praises of his boss, Triple H.

SmackDown Superstar AJ Styles participated in today’s Nippon Budokan Tournament Press Conference. When asked about what being able to compete in NOAH this weekend means for the current state of WWE, Styles said Triple H is trying to show that they are willing to work with other companies to make pro wrestling bigger than ever.

“I think this is showing the Triple H era of what WWE is all about,” AJ Styles. “Because I’m not the only one that is wrestling in Japan tomorrow night. IYO SKY is also wrestling along with myself, and that just goes to show what Triple H is trying to bring throughout the world and WWE, whether it be in NOAH or somewhere else.

“Having the opportunity to wrestle there is big for everybody, and it just shows how we were willing and able to work together so that we all can make pro wrestling as big as we possibly can.”

Styles competed against Noamichi Marufuji on July 13th at Destination 2024.

March 23, 2024

AJ Styles reveals why WWE 'isn't the same' under Triple H

AJ Styles has revealed that WWE is incredibly different under Triple H compared to Vince McMahon.

McMahon reigned in the company since its formation a number of decades ago, until his retirement in 2022 following allegations of sexual misconduct, though returned and began to lure control back.

That was until September last year, when WWE and UFC formed a merger under umbrella company TKO, which had McMahon as executive chairman until he resigned in January following allegations of sex trafficking, which he has denied.

Now, the show is run by former WWE star and McMahon's son-in-law, Triple H - real name Paul Levesque - and reports have generally suggested that the company is a much better place to work.

Those opinions were echoed by Styles The Battleground Podcast.

August 29, 2019

Seth Rollins Takes Top Spot In Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Top 500 Wrestlers List

This year’s Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Top 500 Wrestlers have been revealed and Current Universal Champion Seth Rollins has taken the top spot.

The list takes into consideration a number of factors such as win/loss record, techincal ability, and success in the year period from July 31-June 30.

Below are the top 10 of the 500.

- Seth Rollins
- Daniel Bryan
- AJ Styles
- Kofi Kingston
- Okada
- Johnny Gargano
- Roman Reigns
- Kenny Omega
- Tanahashi
- Will Ospreay

May 1, 2019

WWE Confirms Bill Goldberg, Brock Lesnar and Undertaker for Upcoming Saudi Arabian PPV

The following press release comes from WWE.com:

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA and STAMFORD, Conn. — The Saudi General Sports Authority, in partnership with WWE, will host an event at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, June 7, at 8 p.m. AST. The event will feature WWE Superstars Roman Reigns, Undertaker, Kofi Kingston, Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins, Goldberg, AJ Styles and Brock Lesnar, and stream live on WWE Network.

Additional details on the event’s matches, ticket availability and pricing, and regional broadcast information will be announced in the coming weeks.

April 10, 2017

Top 10 Highest Paid WWE Superstars


The highest paid WWE Superstars of 2016 have been revealed by Forbes who used data compiled from WWE’s booking contracts, pay documents, public filings as well as interviews with industry insiders. Below are the top 10.

10: Randy Orton - $1.9 million

9: Seth Rollins - $2 million

8: The Undertaker - $2 million

7: Shane McMahon - $2.2 million

6: AJ Styles - $2.4 million

5: Dean Ambrose - $2.7 million

4: Roman Reigns - $3.5 million

3: Triple H - $ 3.8 million

2: John Cena - $8 million

1: Brock Lesnar - $12 million

December 24, 2016

Rolling Stone Ranks The 10 Best WWE Wrestlers Of 2016


Rolling Stone recently published their list of the 10 best WWE Superstars of 2016:

1. AJ Styles
2. Charlotte Flair
3. Chris Jericho
4. Sasha Banks
5. Bill Goldberg
6. Kevin Owens
7. Heath Slater
8. The Miz
9. Seth Rollins
10. Enzo & Cass

October 15, 2016

AJ Styles on his video game 'addiction' and rise to the top of WWE

September 11, 2016

AJ Styles Makes Pro Wrestling History at WWE Backlash


AJ Styles proved tonight that he truly is phenomenal. The 39-year-old veteran defeated Dean Ambrose in the main event of WWE Backlash to win the WWE World Champion, becoming the first man in wrestling history to win the WWE World Championship, TNA World Championship, and IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Brock Lesnar had previously held the WWE and IWGP titles, Shinsuke Nakamura has been IWGP Champion and NXT Champion, Finn Balor is a former IWGP Jr. Champion and WWE Champion, and there are several wrestlers who have been WWE and TNA champion, but no man until Styles has managed to obtain the top world titles of all three top professional wrestling promotions in the world.

As additional icing on the cake, Styles is also a former Ring of Honor Pure Champion, PWG Champion, and because of the early association between TNA and the NWA, he is also technically a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

What makes all these even sweeter for the self-proclaimed “face that runs the place”? Styles left TNA as world champion in October 2013, meaning that he has accomplished this feat in a little under three years. In addition, it was only 14 months ago that he lost the IWGP title to Kazuchika Okada, and he is currently only in his ninth month as a WWE Superstar, debuting at the 2016 Royal Rumble.

August 16, 2016

Booker T Talks New Era Talents He Thinks Will Be Big Stars in WWE, His New Role in WWE


WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently did an interview with Cody Dalton of The Observer News Enterprise, and below are some highlights:

CD: In WWE, they are talking about this being “The New Era.” Who do you see out there wrestling now that you think will be the next big star in your business?

BT: “I think it’s going to be more than just one guy. WWE finally opened up the door to the independent world, letting those guys come in and show exactly what they have. I’ve always thought there was a lot of untapped talent out in the independent world. They weren’t the prototypical WWE Superstar, but maybe they are the ‘People’s Champion.’ I think now with guys that have been around like (Finn) Bálor, who has been around a long time. Kevin Owens, Neville — those guys have been around a really long time. You’ve got guys like Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe, (Austin) Aries and guys like that who are getting a chance to come in, as well. They get a chance to perform on the big stage. You see A.J. Styles doing very, very well since he finally got a shot at going out there and performing. You actually see a guy who has pretty much a Southern accent, can get on the microphone and deliver a good promo. There’s going to be a lot of guys actually that are going to be coming up. I feel like the business is in good hands for the years to come, the Wrestlemanias to come and the pay per views to come.”

CD: What’s harder — wrestling, teaching someone to wrestling or being a commentator in WWE?

BT: “Probably commentating. That’s why I’m an analyst now. That’s why I’m not commentating anymore. I’m just an analyst on the Kickoff Show on the pay per views. I like being an analyst. Being able to go out there and talk about Zack Ryder from a commentary perspective, there may be some rough patches, but to be able to analyze Zack Ryder — him being a guy that’s been in WWE for over 10 years, a guy that’s been a journeyman, a guy that’s been trying to crack through that glass ceiling and it just doesn’t seem like it’s ever going to happen for him. Maybe he should retire. Maybe he should just go away. I can do that.

June 24, 2016

The ‘Too Sweet’ history of WWE’s most iconic gesture


It started as something you barely noticed when watching Raw or Nitro in the late ’90s. Shawn Michaels may have thrown it up in the middle of a match, or Scott Hall would flash it on his way down the aisle. It was an unmistakable gesture that hinted at a secret brotherhood known only to a few.

Twenty years later, it has become the not-so-secret handshake seen in sports-entertainment rings around the world, bridging a generation of Superstars and connecting The Kliq with The Club.

Kevin Nash, Triple H and the four Superstars who brought it back to the forefront of sports-entertainment — AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows and Finn Bálor — reveal its strange origins, The Kliq and nWo’s influence today, and the person in the locker room who loves to “Too Sweet.” Click here.

May 2, 2016

Christopher Daniels Talks AJ Styles And Samoa Joe Joining WWE, WWE's Global Cruiserweight Series


"The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels has seen it all and been a little bit of everywhere after two decades in wrestling. From appearances in WWF and WCW to stints in TNA, ROH and NJPW, Daniels is a true veteran of sports entertainment.

Daniels was crucial in the prime of TNA's X-Division, and once actually got a shot at the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship. When I spoke to him recently about WWE's upcoming Global Cruiserweight series, he seemed optimistic about the idea.

"I guess I'll have to wait and see," Daniels explained. "I feel like the last couple of months for NXT have shown they're willing to think outside the box and get rid of the constraints they put on their programming back in the day in terms of their attitude towards cruiserweights. You look at some of the hirings over the past couple of months, picking up Austin Aries, giving guys Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann an opportunity to excel. I look forward to the matches, knowing that a guy I hold in high regard like Zack Sabre Jr. is going to be a part of it. I'll see what they do with it. I feel like they're giving it an honest chance to get over. I think NXT is the right platform to do that."

While Daniels is under an exclusive contract with Ring of Honor and won't be participating the tournament, or in the WWE any time soon, a few of his friends that he's made history with will be. Daniels was a part of one of the greatest matches in the last 20 years when he took on AJ Styles and Samoa Joe in the main event of TNA Unbreakable 2005. Fast forward 11 years, the WWE has signed both Styles and Joe to contracts.

"I try to keep in touch with them as much as possible," Daniels told me. "I'm thrilled to see them doing well and knew they would if they were given the opportunity. I kept in contact with Joe as he was going through the process of signing with them and finding out the opportunities he was being given, it's exciting. It shows you there's a change of perception in the office there. If there's anyone that deserves it that opportunity, it was Joe. He did so much at TNA and ROH, he deserved to be seen on a grand scale. Now he's showing his worth in NXT, and he's the first guy to hold the TNA, NXT and ROH title. History is his."

April 25, 2016

Triple H Names Top WWE Stars He Would Like to Work With, His WrestleMania Match Against The Undertaker, WWE NXT and More


WWE star Triple H did a Q&A during the WWE Paris event over the weekend, and below are some highlights:

-When asked who in WWE he would like to get in the ring with, Triple H says he’s not sure if he would want to get in the ring with any of the top WWE stars now, but in his prime he would loved to have faced guys like Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles and Finn Balor. Triple H says when you are as good as those names, you want to get in the ring with them and work with them.

-Triple H says one of his biggest career moments was facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania 27. He called the match very special and the end of an era in pro wrestling.

-He talked about his career longevity and said that he is proud to have been able to have a 20 year in-ring career and now transition to the WWE offices. He added that he takes a lot of pride in NXT, which he says is the future of WWE.

April 2, 2016

AJ Styles Says TNA Made Themselves Look Like “Crap” Following His Departure, Says He Made the Right Decision Choosing WWE Over TNA


WWE star AJ Styles spoke with Brian Fritz of Between the Ropes during WrestleMania media day, and the following are some highlights. You can watch the full interview in the video below:

On whether or not he actually had a contract in place with TNA before he signed with WWE:

“I had signed a letter of intent. I agreed to ‘this is what you said you were going to pay me, so you can send it to legal,’ there was no contract whatsoever involved. What we signed was nothing. It was not a contract in any shape or form.”

On TNA’s public statement released after Styles left:

“I thought they did a great job of making themselves look like crap by putting out that statement. Just let it go. Things didn’t work out. From what I’m hearing, man did I make a great decision coming here. I’m not shameful of what I’ve done in the past with another company, but I’m disappointed.”

February 6, 2016

Did WWE Sign AJ Styles To Replace Daniel Bryan?

AJ Styles Speaks On Meeting Vince McMahon For The First Time & How He Will Be Portrayed In WWE


AJ Styles was a guest on the latest Talk is Jericho podcast. Styles revealed the first discussion he had with Vince McMahon, where they talked about how he would be portrayed on WWE television.

“Him and I did sit down and talk and we talked about this character. I know this character who he’s talking about because I was [a] heel. This guy whose had to fight for everything.”

“The character that he explained to me is very close, very similar to [the guy I am]. He brought it up ‘this is the way you need to be. You’re not the tallest guy, you’re not the biggest guy, but you’re a pit bull.’ I know that guy, I could be that guy.”

Styles also revealed that he found out he would be in the Royal Rumble match the week of the event.

January 24, 2016

AJ Styles Makes His WWE Debut At The Royal Rumble


AJ Styles made his WWE debut at tonight's Royal Rumble pay-per-view in Orlando. He came out as the #3 entrant in the 30-man Royal Rumble main event.

Styles came out to a huge pop right after #1 entrant WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns eliminated the #2 entrant, Rusev.

January 23, 2016

AJ Styles' Agent Issues Statement On TNA Situation


In an update on the situation between TNA and the WWE-bound AJ Styles, Styles' agent and lawyer Bill Behrens issued the following statement to PWInsider:

No contract was ever finalized nor signed by the parties.

That I would need to be involved in the contract process was known by TNA prior to my involvement and understood by them.

TNA and its 1st lawyer did not present in a timely fashion a contract that accurately reflected previous discussions at all. That created great concern tied to past experiences. In that time and prior there was other interest and there were other firm offers on the table and other discussions.

TNA was aware of other interest and various conflicts. TNA was aware a final contract was required. It was creating that contract and controlled that timetable. Too much time passed early on. Other things came into play. No contract was ever finalized with TNA.

To suggest I make any decision for my clients is to misunderstand my role and diminish the role each talent has in making their own decisions, and insults the talent in the process.

When asked by Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com if the TNA press release will interrupt any scheduled debut plans and contract discussions with WWE, Bill responded, "I believe TNA has only looked stupid so far."

Big Backstage Update on the TNA – Bullet Club Situation, Why TNA Issued a Statement, Possible Legal Action, Details on TNA – AJ Styles Meeting


As we reported earlier this evening, TNA issued a statement via ImpactWrestling.com, which revealed they had been in talks with AJ Styles, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, and the talks lead to a deal signed by all three talents. The following is an excerpt from the TNA statement:

“[The deal] was agreed upon and signed by all. Start dates were determined, creative decided, merchandise designed and plane tickets purchased.”

Shortly after TNA released its statement, a representative from AJ Styles’ management team contacted WZ and issued the following, refuting TNA’s claim:

“No contract was ever finalized nor signed by the parties”.

According to PWInsider.com, talks between TNA and AJ Styles began sometime back in November, and Styles was a very high priority for TNA as they wanted him to return as the company was debuting on POP TV, to show the fans that TNA was turning things around. Talks between Styles and TNA continued through November and December, and those talks lead to the idea of Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson debuting in TNA alongside Styles. Gallows and Anderson were looking to leave New Japan Pro Wrestling, and at the time, Gallows was not under contract, and Anderson’s deal with NJPW expires on February 1st.

TNA, as they noted in their statement, bought Styles a plane ticket for the Impact Wrestling tapings in Bethlehem, PA, and one of the rumored return plans for Styles was to shoot vignettes at a local hotel, and then insert them into the Impact Wrestling broadcasts so that everyone would be surprised. Styles would have then made his in-ring return at the upcoming TNA tour of The UK, along with Gallows and Anderson.

The story currently making the rounds is that once AJ Styles’ agent Bill Behrens learned Styles, Gallows and Anderson had signed TNA deals without his supervision, he was not happy about it, and was against the deal. This prompted Behrens to begin communicating with TNA, who by that time already had their legal department working on long form contracts for the three talents.

TNA noted that discussions between Styles, Gallows and Anderson culminated on December 14th, at a meeting which took place in Dixie Carter’s home in Nashville. The meeting was reportedly attended by Carter, Styles, John Gaburick, Gallows, Anderson and others. The meeting reportedly “could not have gone better”, and following the meeting contracts were presented to the talents, start dates were locked in, logos were created, and story lines were worked on. The talents came back with amendments to the offered contracts, to which TNA agreed.

Shortly after the Christmas holiday, TNA stopped hearing from Styles, Anderson and Gallows, as phone calls were neither answered nor returned, and text messages were not responded to. Bill Behrens then reportedly contacted TNA and told them the deal was off, and all three talents would not be signing contracts. TNA officials were reportedly shocked to hear this news, as they were under the impression all three talents were already signed, and now the company’s big “reboot” plans were out the window. The creative plans in place for Styles and the others were reportedly going to take TNA through a significant portion of 2016, so it left them void of major creative plans. There was also a feeling in TNA that AJ Styles was the company’s “Sting”, the one TNA original that the company couldn’t live without, and they were unable to get him back.

TNA sources remain adamant, as evidenced by their statement, that all three talents signed deals with the company, and although no lawyers were involved, the thought was the talents were a lock. TNA has not heard directly from Gallows or Anderson, however it’s being said Styles did contact them to let them know he would be doing what’s best for his family.

TNA is said to be very frustrated with the communication stopping, and the wrestlers backing out of their deals, which is why they issued a statement via the TNA website. TNA feels the company did the right thing, however they were “wronged” by the talents involved, so they issued the statement because they didn’t want to look like a “patsy”, and didn’t want fans thinking the company let its “Sting” go to WWE without an attempt to get him back.

With regards to potential legal ramifications stemming from this entire ordeal, word is that as of late Friday no decision had been made yet as to whether or not TNA will pursue legal action. There’s also a lot of speculation that TNA might have timed its statement to potentially put an AJ Styles debut at the WWE Royal Rumble in jeopardy.

January 22, 2016

Management For AJ Styles Issues a Response to TNA’s Statement Regarding Contract Negotiations


In response to the statement just issued by TNA regarding negotiations with AJ Styles and other former NJPW stars, WZ was issued the following by Styles’ management team:

“No contract was ever finalized nor signed by the parties”.

TNA Claims They Had AJ Styles Agreed To A Deal, Issues Statement On Their Recent Talks


We noted before that TNA really tried to sign former World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles for their Impact Wrestling premiere on POP TV earlier this month. That obviously didn't happen and AJ is believed to be WWE bound. TNA issued this statement on their talks with Styles about Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson coming into the company with him:

AJ Styles has always been synonymous with TNA and TNA synonymous with AJ Styles. AJ helped build the foundation of IMPACT WRESTLING, and his phenomenal body of work lives in our rich history - something we are very proud of.

In the last few weeks, rumors have swirled about AJ Styles, his future and TNA Wrestling. Fans have asked for the status and wrestling media have made numerous inquiries.

For the past several months, AJ and TNA were involved in serious discussions to bring him back home to TNA. Creative discussions escalated and two additional wrestlers, Drew Hankinson and Chad Allegra, were enthusiastically added.

These discussions culminated on December 14th in Nashville, Tenn., where all attended a meeting at Dixie Carter's home. A handshake and written deal between AJ, Drew, Chad and TNA was agreed upon and signed by all. Start dates were determined, creative decided, merchandise designed and plane tickets purchased.

Over the Christmas holiday, and after the lawyers finalized the long form agreement, all communication with TNA stopped.

AJ's lawyer contacted TNA and stated the wrestlers had changed their mind and would not be honoring their commitment to TNA.

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