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WWE champion Styles and Smackdown Live make their way to Amarillo

Posted: Sep 8th 2018 By: Kale Steed

World Wrestling Entertainment invades Amarillo as part of the Summer Heatwave Tour at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night at the Amarillo Cal Farley Coliseum Civic Center Complex.

The Superstars from Smackdown Live will be on hand to showcase their skills in front of the Amarillo crowd, as WWW Smackdown Women’s champion Charlotte, Carmella, United States champion Shinsuke Nakamura, Rusev and Jeff Hardy among others are expected to be on hand.

The announced main event is WWE champion “The Phenomenal” A.J. Styles, putting his title on the line against Samoa Joe and the The Miz in a triple threat match. Styles has been a multitime World champion in many different promotions across the world in 20 years as a wrestler.

During his two and half years in WWE, Styles has been a 2-time WWE champion and a United States champion. His current 302-day title reign is the longest in WWE Smackdown history.

Styles took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to talk with the Amarillo Globe-News about his career, the upcoming show in Amarillo, among many other topics.

WWE always draws a great crowd here in Amarillo. What can we expect as fans? “I expect to entertain to the best of my abilities. That’s what I expect to do. I think we all do a great job of that on Smackdown Live. I think we have the best roster in WWE. It’s untouchable, especially when it comes to in-ring talent. I think the fans will enjoy that.”


Your rivalry with Samoa Joe has been one of the better ones in WWE of late. You two have been able to carry this rivalry through different promotions over the years. What’s that say for you guys? “It’s been different in the way we’re doing it now than the way we’ve ever done it before. It’s gotten a lot more personal than any other time. You’re always going to get the hard-hitting Samoa Joe and the same A.J. Styles you have over the years. It’s always a recipe for a good match. It won’t be any different in Amarillo.”

In a little over 2 1/2 years your run through WWE is incredible. Did you expect to be a two-time WWE champion, and carry the title as long as you have? “Surely I’m not the only one surprised by this. If you’d told me years ago that I’d be WWE champion two times, a United States champion and you’re going to have the belt at least half your career, I would have said that’s ridiculous. But, hard work has paid off. In the long run, if I was to lose this title tomorrow, I’ve had a great run and I’m very happy.”

Do you have a favorite match in WWE so far? “That’s tough. I have so many memorable moments so far. There is the Royal Rumble, and John Cena. There is also Roman Reigns. Then when I won the championship from Dean Ambrose. There are so many matches that are hard to pick.”

Who do you like to peek around the curtain and watch wrestle when you get the chance? “There are those big guys like Samoa Joe, or a Brock Lesnar. Guys that will rip your head off. You then got the high flyers like Rey Mysterio. I like seeing what he’s doing. So there are quite a few.”

What’s the best candy out there? “You can’t go wrong with an apple Jolly Rancher.”

What animal do you fear? “Probably anything that could kill me. Like a gorilla. I’m not particularly fond of snakes. I don’t think most people are.”

If you could have an exotic animal as a pet, which one would it be? “Probably one of those sea turtles. The ones that live 100 years. They wouldn’t be a lot to keep up with, and it wouldn’t hurt me. That would be low maintenance.”

If your cell phone fell in a Porta Potty, do you reach in and get it? “Yes.”

Tecmo Bowl or Madden? “Tecmo Bowl.”

I hear you’re a big XBox guy. What game are you currently hooked on now? “The game PUBG. That’s Playerunknown’s Battleground.”

What is the locker room game at the moment? “Tekken 7.”

Who is the best at Tekken 7 out of you guys? “It’s not me, I can tell you that.”

If you entered a talent show, what would your talent be? “I don’t have much talent. I guess dancing. It’d be the most ridiculous dancing, but when Bell Biv Devoe was hot, I was cutting a rug.”