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AJ Styles Talks Ring of Honor, WWE NXT, New Japan, TNA, Lucha Underground, More

AJ Styles Talks Ring of Honor, WWE NXT, New Japan, TNA, Lucha Underground, More

Posted: Dec 24th 2015 By: Donald Wood - BleacherReport.com

Many fans know AJ Styles as one of the main reasons TNA Impact Wrestling found success for so many years, but since his departure, he has become one of the top stars in both Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling.

At 38 years old, many wrestlers would be coming to the end of their careers. Instead, Styles is more popular than ever and working some of the best matches. For wrestling fans who support Styles, his career resurgence has been amazing to watch.

Styles recently spoke with Ring Rust Radio (quotes courtesy of The Delco Elbow Drop's Joe Arcidiacono) about working as a top star in both Ring of Honor and New Japan, the possibility of working in WWE and NXT, his feelings about TNA, his interest in working with Lucha Underground and much more.

Since his departure from Impact Wrestling, Styles has been dominating the independent wrestling ranks as a major player in both ROH and New Japan. As the former IWGP heavyweight champion, few men in the industry are as revered.

At his age, though, there are questions about how long he can continue performing at such an elite level night after night. Unfortunately, Enuhito.com (h/t Wrestling Inc) revealed that a lower back injury prevented him from competing at recent wrestling events, but Styles reassured fans that he wasn?t going to miss two of the year?s biggest shows:

I?m not going to let it have an impact. I?m going to be wrestling at Final Battle and Wrestle Kingdom and I will find a way. I?m not missing these amazing events for anything. I am going to be there. I have been hurt before, and I just work through it. Everyone has at some point; it?s just what you do as a wrestler. You ignore the pain and when that adrenaline starts running it doesn?t matter what?s bothering you, you will put on the best show you can.

While there is no denying Styles? success over the last two years on the indie scene, many wrestling fans would love to see him follow in the footsteps of former TNA stars Samoa Joe and James Storm and try his hand in WWE?s NXT brand.

When asked about his interest in joining NXT, Styles spoke honestly of his perception of the business and what it would take to convince him a jump to WWE would be worth it:

I?m going to be honest with you guys: the thing that makes wrestling most interesting to me is going to be the business that occurs after the match is over. A lot of people frown on that and say money isn?t everything. Well I say it depends on how much you have saved. My goal when I retire is to not be in a wheel chair or walk with a limp. Wherever I go, I will do my best, work harder than anybody there and that?s just what I do. I only have one gear and if someone is looking for that and I can support my family while doing it, then that is what I will do.

A run with WWE and NXT could spawn some of the biggest dream matches in wrestling, but Styles doing what is best for his family first and foremost is an admirable trait in a business that can be very callous at times.

Styles has seen and done almost everything in his career, and he learned the most during his time with TNA. For years, Styles was the biggest star in Impact Wrestling, but mismanagement and a move away from what made the company successful hurt the product.

When asked about what may have caused the issues that TNA has faced over the last several years, Styles spoke honestly about Impact Wrestling?s problems and what separates his old employer from promotions like ROH:

I think around 2009-10 they were headed in the wrong direction. They were trying to be WWE-Lite and you can?t do that, you have to be different. I think that?s where the biggest mistakes were made and they didn?t trust the guys that got them to the ball game in the first place. They had all the talent they needed and didn?t need to bring in other talent. I think people were misinformed about what they could get out of it. The dial never changed when they brought in this higher talent as they thought it would.

I will say Christian Cage when he came over was such an asset; he was the start of it. Then they brought in Kurt Angle, which was unbelievable, and they could have stopped there and we would have been fine. They have got to be different and turn it up. If WWE can?t do something because they are publicly traded, then there is your advantage. That just doesn?t apply to TNA, that applies to ROH as well. Everybody can do something different than WWE. I will say ROH wrestling is out of this world and nothing can compete with that. TNA they just have to change it and be different.

As a veteran of the business for almost 20 years, Styles has found success everywhere he has gone, but one company he has not worked for is Lucha Underground.

As one of the hottest shows in the wrestling industry, Styles was asked about his interest level in a possible run with the lucha-based promotion, saying, "Again, where ever the business takes me that is where I will go. Lucha Underground does great and crazy stuff over there, and it?s a little bit of what we talked about with doing something different. Where ever the business takes me, that?s where I am going to go.?

There is no doubt that Styles must begin reducing his workload to ensure he lasts a long time in the business, but wrestling fans will always get his best, like he said on Twitter:

I've got one gear....sorry

Regardless of where his career goes in the future, Styles is dominating the industry right now as one of the top stars in both Ring of Honor and New Japan. Fans can?t get enough of his intense in-ring style, and he is still one of the best performers in the business.

Many fans would love to see him involved with an exciting brand like NXT, but the work he is doing with the Bullet Club in Japan and as a championship contender in ROH makes him one of the most respected athletes to ever lace up a pair of boots.

Whatever the future holds, fans should be enjoying every match from Styles because we are witnessing one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time wrestling at an elite level.

 

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Supplemental Information

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
  • 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
  • 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12

  • 09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
  • 09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
  • 09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 09-08 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 09-08 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
  • 09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
  • 09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
  • 09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-12
  • N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th Today!
  • Bob Kenaston Sep 12th Today!
  • Montego Seeka Sep 12th Today!
  • Bounty Hunter Sep 12th Today!
  • Bash Sep 12th Today!
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  • Animal Sep 12th Today!
  • Angelina Love Sep 13th
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  • Waddy Young Sep 14th
  • Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
  • Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
  • Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
  • Bernie D Sep 14th
  • Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
  • Daniel King Sep 15th
  • Korvin Sage Sep 15th
  • L. C. Green Sep 15th
  • Haru Sonada Sep 16th
  • Jake Swayze Sep 17th
  • Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
  • Rex Mori Sep 17th
  • Dick Brower Sep 17th
  • Bill Irwin Sep 17th
  • Jim Cornette Sep 17th
  • Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
  • Angel Reed Sep 18th
  • Titan Yin Sep 18th
  • Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
  • Billy Robinson Sep 18th
  • Adam Asher Sep 19th
  • Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
  • Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
  • Bishop Simon Sep 20th
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th
  • Boz Sep 20th
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