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Fit at 40...how a WWE Champion stays in fighting shape

Fit at 40...how a WWE Champion stays in fighting shape

Posted: Mar 15th 2018 By: Menshealth.com

After 19 years in the ring, A. J. Styles has certainly earned his nickname: The Phenomenal One.

The current WWE Champion took one hell of a road to get where he is today. Debuting in 1998 for various independent promotions, Styles has spent the better part of two decades throwing his body in and around the ring on multiple continents. He performed in Ted Turner's now-defunct WCW,
took Florida's six-sided TNA Wrestling to new heights, showed up in bingo hall indie shows and main-evented sold- out events in Japan's 42,000-seat Tokyo Dome.

Nowadays, the 40-year-old North Carolina native finds himself on the industry's biggest stage next to the likes of John Cena and Brock Lesnar, holding the company's most prestigious title. If pro wrestling is a hybrid of sports and entertainment, AJ Styles is its Daniel Day-Lewis with bigger biceps; a bonafide veteran consistently being given the chance to prove he's still the best in the world.

With WWE's most massive show looming — WrestleMania, inside New Orleans' Superdome, on April 8 — MensHealth.com chatted with Styles about staying in Champion caliber shape while
enduring the company's infamous city-to-city travel schedule.

MENSHEALTH.COM: HOW DOES STAYING IN SHAPE AS A PRO WRESTLER DIFFER FROM ANY OTHER ATHLETE?

AJ Styles: Well, first and foremost you got to look the part. If you’re in the ring, obviously your shirt is off, you got to look like you could beat somebody up. But the problem is trying to get there. There was a time where young AJ Styles tried to lift 95 and it bounced off his chest because he didn’t know how heavy it was. It was then I realized, "Oh shoot, man, I got to work out." I think I was in eighth grade when that happened. I’ve been working out since then, and figuring out ways that my body reacts. Different workouts that make it easier on me, especially as I get older.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY HAVE YOU HAD TO CHANGE ABOUT YOUR WORKOUTS
AS YOU GET OLDER?

I’m not maxing out. Heavy weight is not that big of a deal for me anymore. I’m not out to get bigger. I’m out to maintain what I’ve got. Sometimes that’s doing a lot more reps, or doing heavy one week and light the next. I went to the Kansas City Chiefs facility with a friend, and they showed me the blood pressure cuffs. It’s called blood flow restriction. What I have is...basically blood pressure cuffs. I get them where I need to be, where it’s tight, but not too tight. As long as I can feel my fingers, there’s no numbness. I workout and I feel like my biceps are about to explode. I move to my triceps, they feel like they’re about to explode. And the great thing about this workout is, you don’t go over 20 minutes.

THE WWE SCHEDULE IS A CONSTANT GRIND. HOW DO YOU KEEP UP WITH A CONSISTENT DIET?

Intermittent fasting. For me, it’s easy. It’s not hard at all. Truthfully, I don’t eat that clean. Sometimes, like last night for instance, it was 11:30 before I got to eat. I got a quesadilla from Taco Bell. It sounds terrible, but it was delicious, and it was in my 8-hour window. So it works for me.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU FOUND THAT’S PARTICULARLY BENEFICIAL TO HELPING WITH MUSCLE RECOVERY, AND AVOIDING INJURIES?

DDP Yoga is always a helpful thing. It’s helped a lot of guys, and it’s certainly helped me. Over time, you will have an injury that will pop up every now and then, but it’s not because you’re hurt, it may be because a muscle is trying to protect something. So you have to stretch that muscle out. It’s crazy to think that the worst thing on me is my butt. Because my hamstring is pulling on my butt, and my butt pulls on my back. So I’ve got to stretch all that out before it gets too bad, where it really bothers me. But that’s just part of the wear and tear that happens to our bodies over the years. I’ve been doing this for 19 years. It was nice when I was 25 and didn’t have to worry about any of this
stuff, but as you get older, you have to take care of yourself or you’ll be in trouble the next day.

EVEN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, CAN YOU EVER GET USED TO SOMETHING THE SIZE OF WRESTLEMANIA?

I really don’t think you can. It’s amazing what we do get used to. But WrestleMania being only once a year, it’s unbelievable to walk out in front of 100,000 people who just want to see you perform. It’s a special moment. That’s why there’s so many other guys in this business who maybe should have got out a while back, but it’s just hard to do when you’re walking down the aisle and there’s that many people with eyes on you.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion

Week of Sun 09-20 to Sat: 09-26

  • 09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 09-20 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Brandon Warhawk def. Seth Daniels for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-21 2024 Fuel def. Killbane for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-21 2024 Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) def. Black Flag Rising (Anarchy [2nd] & Faded Ghoul) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Badger James & Trench Blythe) def. Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-22 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
  • 09-22 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 09-22 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-22 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-23 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-23 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-23 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-23 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-23 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 09-23 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-24 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-24 2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
  • 09-24 2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-24 2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
  • 09-24 2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-24 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title
  • 09-25 1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 09-25 1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-26 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-26 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
  • 09-26 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-26 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-26 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-26 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-26 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-26 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title
09-20
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  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
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  • Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
  • Satine Sep 22nd
  • Doug Somers Sep 22nd
  • Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
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  • O'Malley Sep 23rd
  • Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
  • Connor Crunk Sep 24th
  • John J. Bishop Sep 24th
  • Jason Bruce Sep 24th
  • Kai Fayden Sep 24th
  • Joe Jones Sep 24th
  • Len Rossi Sep 24th
  • Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
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  • Toots Estes Sep 25th
  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
  • Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
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