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AJ Styles addresses Vince McMahon’s leadership in WWE

Posted: Jun 15th 2026 By: Rosanne Raphael

AJ Styles reflected on his time working under Vince McMahon, offering a perspective on the former WWE Chairman’s leadership style.

Styles discussed the backstage WWE environment under McMahon’s mentorship on the latest edition of The Phenomenally Retro Podcast. He expressed an ease of approach towards McMahon for clarity, despite having heard rumors about his micromanagement style.

“I enjoyed the fact that if I had a question that needed to be answered and I needed it right then, I could go to Vince and he’d give me the answer. I can appreciate that. There was one time where I told him I was trying to read him, meaning how he felt about something. He said, ‘Don’t do that. You can’t read me.’ Maybe they’ve been true, but things were different. I feel like guys walked around a little bit more timid when Vince was in charge, where now they can give their opinions and stuff like that more freely, ask questions without being yelled at.”

“Guys who are commentating aren’t being yelled at and said mean things to. I don’t know exactly what those mean things are, but I’ve heard stories. There’s things like that. I don’t think it’s as micromanaged as it was ‘Okay, I hire all these brilliant people to just micromanage it. That’s what they’re for.’But it’s not to be on top of every little thing and it’s quite impossible because it’s such a large company, right?”

“It was neither good or bad working for Vince. I mean, he gave me a chance to be AJ Styles in WWE and a two-time World Heavyweight Champion. So, what am I to complain about? We were not hanging out after work. I promise you that.”

Styles debuted in WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble, and a decade later officially retired from pro wrestling. Over the course of his career, he captured multiple championships. Following his retirement in January this year, Styles was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.