Tag: AJ Styles

AJ Styles Says He Was “Dead Wrong” About His Original WWE Retirement Plans

AJ Styles spoke with Ryan Satin about a variety of topics, among them how he figured he’d have retired already. Why didn’t he and what’s next?

AJ Styles recently sat down with Ryan Satin of Fox Sports and during the Out of Character podcast, talked about still wresting at the age of 44. Admitting that he didn’t at all expect to still be going at this age, he talked about how we outlasted his retirement plans.

Styles acknowledged that he figured he’d be done as an active competitor a few years ago. He said, “I remember thinking, ‘I’ll be 40 years old when I retire. That’s when I’m gonna retire.’So I was dead wrong, by the way.” Whether it was the right opportunity or feeling better physically than he figured he would, he felt good enough to sign another contract with the WWE in 2019.

Styles said he’s publicly called this current contract his final contract and he didn’t say how long it was for, but mentioned WWE is the “perfect place for me to be.” While he didn’t come right out and say it, had it not been WWE and had he gone a different path than finally coming over, it sounds like Styles would have packed it in.

Styles also admitted that it’s hard to leave. As he gets closer to the end and knowing that his career is probably winding down, he’s started realizing that it will be hard to give it all up and walk away. He does know that there will come a time when he can’t do the things physically he wants to and that may be the final sign. “It’s a struggle some times,” Styles said.

He said he got a taste of how things have changed with COVID, but he didn’t like the feeling of not being part of the business with fans and the regular experience he’s come to know and love. That said, he’s not done yet and noted we’ll see where everything ends up after this current contract comes to an end.

Source: The Sportster

WWE Closing Twitch & Cameo Pages?, AJ Styles Reacts, Paige Talks Unionization

It looks like WWE is in the process of shutting down Twitch & Mixer streaming channels owned by several Superstars. Cameo accounts are also being deactivated.

AJ Styles took to Discord this afternoon and announced that he was suspending his “Stylesclash” accounts on Mixer and Twitch due to WWE’s new policy on unauthorized third party platform activity. Styles thanked his fans for the support and memories. He also said he will be leaving his Discord server up to keep in touch with fans for future happenings.

“@everyone, I want to thank you for all the greatest memories on Mixer and Twitch,” AJ wrote. “I will cherish these memories and I love everyone of you that have made this possible and supported me. As many of you know WWE is making some changes that involve streaming. We will see what the future holds in that regard.

“With that being said I will be suspending Stylesclash stream. This isn’t good bye, but this is see you sometime in the future. We will leave discord open, but since it won’t be monitored we will be making changes. Chris or I will let you know what that looks like once we figure it out. If you see me at the arenas or wherever be sure to let me know you’re part of the phenomenal family. Again this isn’t the end it’s just a pause. Thank you again for your support.”

Mia Yim (Reckoning of RETRIBUTION) announced on Twitter that her “ItsMeSYB” Twitch stream is also being pulled down, right before her scheduled gameplay with Jessamyn Duke.

“Sorry guys, no more stream for the time being. Thank you for making these past few difficult months manageable. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. [blue heart emoji],” Yim wrote.

Cesaro announced that he was suspending his “Claudio’s Cafe” channel on Twitch today during a stream.

“Well I appreciate everybody spending some time here with me,” Cesaro said. “I don’t know when the next stream is gonna be… I’ll definitely let you guys know. … Thank everybody for spending your time with me here. Thanks for the subs, thanks for the gifts, thanks for the follows. I really do appreciate it. I hope I’ll be back soon, but when? I don’t know. So, yeah… one last race, who are we gonna race today? So yeah, I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

Paige got emotional during one of her Twitch streams this afternoon on her “Saraya Official” channel after finding out about co-workers shutting down their platforms.

“You guys. We have to make this… you guys. There may be a time where I have to stop streaming,” Paige said. “So, I just think in case I walk away, if I have to walk away, let’s make these next two streams crazy. I have to go off. If I have to leave, we make today and Saturday f–king crazy before I have to leave, because it might have to come to that.

Paige continued texting, apparently with co-workers on her phone, and came back to the camera. She was more emotional as she went back to addressing her viewers. She then commented that she “cannot deal” with WWE anymore. She also blamed the company for over-working her, to the point that she suffered the career-ending neck injury during a WWE live event match in December 2017.

“I’ve honestly got to the point where I cannot deal with this company anymore,” Paige said. “So now I have to make a very important decision. I’m f–king tired, man. I broke my f–king neck twice, twice for this company, over f–king worked. I broke my neck twice for this company and all I wanted was to… they don’t realize that this community isn’t just about f–king subs. It isn’t about that. It isn’t about that. We built a wonderful community, a wonderful f–king family where this is an escape for a lot of people, including myself.

“I can’t wrestle anymore, I was worked so hard in WWE that I can’t wrestle anymore. My neck is f–ked, my whole dream got taken away from me, dude, and I had to have something that fulfilled even a small part of that huge f–king void that I lost with wrestling. A huge f–king void. I couldn’t wrestle anymore, something I lived, breathed, f–king s–t wrestling since I was a fetus, dude, and it got ripped away from me, and I had to find something that even filled a little bit of that. Twitch was such a wonderful thing for me, it’s such a wonderful place for me.”

Paige continued and wondered why WWE is taking away her platform while she just sits at home, unable to wrestle.

“And I understand,” Paige said. “I understand if they’re like, ‘Hey, if you’re wrestling every day, if you’re doing shows every day, if you’re on TV constantly.’ That’s fine, but I’m a f–king injured wrestler. I can’t wrestle anymore. I get used for media stuff sometimes, you know? But at the end of the day I’m in my f–king house. I’m going f–king crazy, dude. I need something to keep me sane, man, and Twitch was my escape from that, you know? Right now I’m just sitting on my f–king ass.”

Paige also brought up her private photos & videos that were leaked on the internet a few years ago, and her failed drug tests, and relationship with former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio. She also accused WWE of treating her bad.

“I had a terrible couple of years where I had tapes leaked about me, where I popped a couple of drug tests because I was in an abusive f–king relationship, dude,” Paige said. “And that’s the only thing I could f–king do. See, people think I should be thankful that I still have a f–king job, right? And I am, but it doesn’t mean I should be treated like f–king s–t.”

Paige said at one point that she would keep streaming because her neck was taken away twice and she won’t allow WWE to take away her Twitch next. She also mentioned potential unionization in pro wrestling, revealing that she’s been in touch with a unionization lawyer.

“People don’t realize I’m outspoken as f–k,” Paige said. I will say how I feel. I don’t care who you are. I will say how I feel because I don’t like being walked all over. … You know what? I’m gonna start looking more into unionization. I’ve been learning about it by a unionization lawyer.

“This is bigger than Twitch, it’s about taking f–king control of your own life and not being controlled by anyone. I gave ten years, man. I poured my f–king heart and soul into this. I had a bad couple of years like every motherf–ker has. I’m not the only one who is f–king controversial around here, I’m not the only one. It’s f–king louder when it comes to me because I’m a f–king female. I hate using that because I’m a woman but it’s because I’m a woman and women don’t usually stand up for themselves.”

Paige went on and said she will continue to stream for her fans, and see how the situation plays out. Paige said she loves WWE but doesn’t agree with what is being done in regards to the third party activity. She noted that she understands that this is a business decision, and nothing personal, but she still doesn’t have to agree with it. She also noted that she felt sad at first, but now she feels empowered after speaking out on the latest stream. She told fans that she will be speaking out with more of what’s on her mind over the next couple of days.

WWE couple Zelina Vega and Aleister Black also discussed the situation on their “AtoZ” Twitch channel. They reiterated that they are not 100% sure of what will happen to the account as they have not talked to “the office” but they know there will be a conversation on the matter at SmackDown on Friday.

“In all fairness, we don’t know,” Black said. “We don’t know but it’s starting to look like, obviously that this might be the last one for a while. We haven’t been told anything, but obviously tomorrow is TV, and I know that there’s going to be a conversation tomorrow. But, like, it’s not definite, it’s not like this is the last final stream ever.”

Vega added, “Although it could be. I want you to be prepared for that, too.”

Black continued, “It could be but we don’t think it is, but you never know. I think what’s happening is they’re trying to find a way to make it coexist within the WWE Universe and whatever way that they want to do that, I don’t know, and if we agree to that, I don’t know. I literally can’t tell you anything because we don’t know anything.”

“Only because we haven’t been told anything from the office,” Vega added.

Black and Vega acknowledged the statements by Styles and Yim, and said they made those because they were told separately. Vega said it’s their business and she’s not sure if Yim and Styles have had conversations with the office, but she and Black have not.

“I think you can definitely say this is the last one for a while, for at least a while, and I don’t know how long that while is. Obviously tomorrow [at SmackDown] we’re going to get a little more clarity on things, but I don’t know,” Black said.

Like Styles, Black and Vega plan to keep their Discord server open so they can interact with fans.

“I’m just going to be candid,” Vega said. “And just like, we don’t know but we have a good idea, and there’s the whole ‘trying to make it work for everybody’ stage that we’re in right now, and we’re hoping that there is some kind of middle ground. Is there? There may not be because the thing is, that sounds great, you know? And I hope there is. It sounds like middle ground would be awesome, but I also want to prepare people.”

She added, “Because I don’t want to give you guys hope and then slap you guys in the face and go, ‘Sorry!’ You know what I mean?”

“We’re preparing you for both,” Vega said. “We’re preparing you for the, ‘Hey we figured out something and it’s kind of going to be different and it’s going to work somehow.’ But it’s not going to be exactly what this is because I don’t think it’ll ever be this, it’ll be different if there is that, but there’s also the side of, ‘We just have to stop.’ I want you guys to be prepared for both. I just want to be 100% honest with you.”

Black and Vega acknowledged Paige being upfront and honest with her viewers, and not holding anything back. Vega recalled how Paige also said officials have not said anything concrete to her either, but Vega is sure something will happen to the third party activity. Black and Vega also commented on how they built their platform together, with the fans, despite Black being a very private person.

On a related note, several WWE Superstars have deactivated their Cameo accounts as well, and are no longer taking requests from fans. RSN discovered that Big E, Riddle, Kevin Owens and others have all deactivated their Cameo accounts, which were big earners for some wrestlers. There are some WWE Superstars who remain on Cameo, such as Lacey Evans and Mandy Rose, among others. It remains to be seen if their accounts will be deactivated soon like the others.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AJ Styles Reveals He Tested Positive For COVID 19, Gives Reaction To Paul Heyman Moving To SmackDown

The Phenomenal One, AJ Styles recently went live on Twitch and offered his well wishes for The Rock, as it was reported earlier that Rock and his family have been diagnosed with COVID 19. During the discussion, Styles revealed that he recently tested positive for the virus as well.

“A lot of people don’t know or realize, but I also tested positive a few weeks ago,” Styles said. “It may have been a month ago. I feel for people that have to deal with this, but my personal experience with it was I didn’t have any problems with it. Hopefully The Rock and his family are safe and everyone is taken care of and not having many symptoms. That sucks for him and his family and hopefully they get through it fairly quickly.”

“I went through it and was one of the lucky ones,” Styles continued. “I didn’t have many symptoms. Kind of had a headache and not much else. I was pretty lucky. I hear that Rock and his family are no longer contagious, so hopefully everyone is on the mend. So much conflicting information has came out about this thing, so who knows what to believe with it.”

Styles moved back to SmackDown after getting into a backstage altercation with Paul Heyman while on the RAW roster. The altercation stemmed from Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson being let go as part of the roster cuts. Styles was told it was Heyman’s decision to let them go, but Paul denied it when Styles confronted him. After Styles went directly to McMahon, Vince told him it was Heyman’s idea. The fact that Styles felt that Heyman lies to him caused quite a rift and AJ ultimately demanded to be sent to SmackDown to get away from him, but Heyman is now part of the SmackDown roster.

“It is what it is,” AJ said. “I could care less. It’s water under the bridge. Listen, I’m not saying I forgot what he’s done, but I’m not going to be the guy that holds a grudge. It’s one of those things where he knows he pissed me off and how I felt. Just because I don’t trust him doesn’t mean that I can’t get along with him professionally. I’m not going to do or say anything mean to him. It’s over. My buddies are doing fine. I was concerned about them when this whole thing went down, but they are doing great.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AJ Styles Discusses The Possibility Of Working With AEW, His Retirement Plans

WWE Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles took to his Twitch stream last night to answer a variety of questions from his fans.

One topic of discussion was All Elite Wrestling and the close relationships Styles has with some of the higher ups working there. Styles mentioned how you can “never say never” in regards to him possibly showing up in AEW one day.

“As far as AEW is concerned, never say never, right? But I think once my career is done, I’m hopefully just going to work for WWE in some capacity,” AJ explained. “What would I do? I’d like to be a recruiter, go scout some guys. I think that would be fun. I would have no problem going to the indies. I know we have scouts going to weightlifting contests and what not to get these big guys.”

Styles says that he intends to close the final chapter of his in-ring career in WWE and then move on to recruiting talent for the company. He notes that change is hard, and he likes the position he’s in now.

“I want to get guys and girls who have wanted to do this their whole life, give them some advice, check up on them from time to time, and help them get to the next level or the Performance Center,” Styles said. “A lot of my friends are [in AEW], guys I love, but I know what I’m doing in WWE. I know what’s asked of me and I kind of like that.

“Change always – some change sucks. You know how one thing is done and the other is not worth the hassle,” AJ continued. “I don’t need, at least right now, to go anywhere else. So, why would I? But again, never say never.”

Styles new Twitch channel has been getting a lot of attention lately, particularly because of his candid way of answering questions about Paul Heyman. You can read more about Styles’ comments about Paul Heyman at this link.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AJ Styles Calls Paul Heyman “A Boldface Liar”, Responds To Reports About Their Relationship

As seen below, WWE Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles took to his Mixer video game streaming channel yesterday and had some strong things to say regarding his former boss on RAW, Paul Heyman. It was previously reported that Styles and Heyman did not get along when they were working together.

“There were some rumors going around that AJ Styles left RAW to go to SmackDown because he was being bullied. That may be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” Styles said. “I mean, I’m a grown man. If there were some bullying going on that upset me enough to leave RAW and go to SmackDown, I would handle it. And whether I got my tail beat or not, I’d still handle it. I’m a grown man. So, I’ll just throw that out there.

“When it came to the rumor about Paul Heyman and being upset with him because he didn’t take up for Gallows and Anderson before they got released, that’s not what it was at all,” AJ continued. “It’s not even close. I’ll give you a snippet of what me, Gallows, and Anderson already know – [Paul Heyman] is a liar. Now you know; I’m sure you’ve heard that before if you go back to his ECW days, you’ll hear that. He’s a boldface liar. So, that’s my take on that. I will let Gallows and Anderson [add to it].”

Styles was reportedly “furious” over Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson being released in April. Styles reportedly blamed Heyman for their releases, even though Vince McMahon was the person who made the call.

Anderson and Gallows have reportedly come to terms on a deal with Impact Wrestling. The deal would allow “The Good Brothers” to wrestle on Impact as well as New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AJ Styles Admits Luke Gallows And Karl Anderson Being Released By WWE Still Bothers Him

On a recent After The Bell podcast, Corey Graves asked AJ Styles about his return to SmackDown after being traded to the brand. Styles said he needed a change of scenery after the releases of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

“I mean it’s different for me. This is moving to FOX,” Styles stated. “I think they’re doing a really good job. So I’m excited about that, to be working with those guys, and it’s just doing something different man. It’s good for me. I needed a change, and I don’t mean to harp on this, but losing Gallows and Anderson really hurt me. So getting away from RAW helps me get over it. I don’t know that I’ll get over it, but it helps change the atmosphere around me, to do something different because my whole time on RAW was with them. So getting away from that and getting to SmackDown, where I’ve had a lot of success, it’s a good thing.”

Styles talked about his frustration over not doing more for Gallows and Anderson. He said that he was like an older brother to them and feels that he let them down.

“Looking back, I was the one that kind of brought their names to come to WWE and everything,” Styles reflected. “So when they got released, I immediately feel responsible for them because I helped them get here, and I wanted them to stay. I feel like if I had encouraged them to stay, maybe they would be fine right now. So a lot of that fell on me, and it and it destroyed me.

“I feel like I let them down, and I talked to them about this. I talked about it on the Mixer channel on the day after it was done. I was just crushed. I’m the oldest in this group, and they’re my little brothers. I didn’t take care of them, and that really bothered me. It really really bothers me. It still does.”

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to After The Bell 

AJ Styles Says His Surprise Return On Raw “Could Have Been More”

AJ Styles has heard the rumblings from fans saying his return to Raw this week could have been more special … and “The Phenomenal One” agrees.

During a Mixer stream on Wednesday, Styles first addressed the lack of creativity in returning from being “buried alive” with no changes to his character.

“The return could have been more,” he said. “I’ve heard people talk about ‘Well, I mean, you kinda just wasted it. AJ Styles was buried alive and he could have come back as a different character, in a different mood, a different look. Something different about AJ Styles. He came back and he was exactly the same as before he got buried.’ I’m with you.”

In case you missed it … Styles returned to action Monday night on Raw, winning a Gauntlet Match to earn himself a spot in Sunday’s Money in the Bank ladder match. It was the first we’ve seen of Styles since getting “buried” in the Boneyard Match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania.

Speaking on his stream, AJ theorizes that he was brought back to beef up the card for Sunday’s pay-per-view. “I think circumstances had a lot to do with AJ Styles coming back when he did … maybe we need some more star power in that match,” he said. “Maybe that’s what it was.”

Styles joins Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black, King Corbin and Otis in Sunday’s ladder match taking place at WWE Headquarters.

Regardless of reasoning, Styles wishes he had a do-over. “I wish we could have waited,” he said. “I think, if times would have been different, that would have been something that we went with.”

Watch his comments in the video at the link below (starting after the 12-minute mark).

https://mixer.com/STYLESCLASH?vod=IEvr5oDQBEel7EIJK6BLIg

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

AJ Styles Returning To Action At Super ShowDown In Tuwaiq Trophy Gauntlet Match

Looks like AJ Styles’ recent injury at the Royal Rumble won’t keep him out of action for long, as WWE has announced he’ll compete in the Tuwaiq Trophy Gauntlet Match at Super ShowDown.

The gauntlet match match was announced during Raw and additional competitors include Andrade, Bobby Lashley, Erick Rowan, Rusev and R-Truth.

As we previously reported, Styles suffered a separated shoulder while taking a spear from Edge during the Men’s  Royal Rumble Match.

This will also be Andrade’s first match since being suspended for violating WWE’s Wellness Policy.

WWE Super ShowDown takes place February 27.

tuwaiq trophy gauntlet match wwe super showdown aj styles andrade

WWE Announces AJ Styles Is Out Of Action Indefinitely

WWE has announced that AJ Styles is currently out of action indefinitely with a shoulder injury.

WWE added that Styles is recovering way ahead of doctor’s projections. It was reported last week, via Wrestling Observer Radio, that the internal hope was that AJ would be back in the ring in 4-6 weeks. There’s no word yet on if that timetable is still an option.

WWE also noted that AJ suffered the injury in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match earlier this month, but they did not mention how he was injured by a Spear from WWE Hall of Famer Edge. While AJ suffered the injury while taking a Spear from Edge, he addressed the injury on his Mixer channel last week and said Edge “did nothing, absolutely 100% nothing wrong.” You can click here for a recap of AJ’s comments on the injury and his return from Mixer. He noted that he didn’t expect to be out for very long, and that he was feeling a lot better. He also said he bets he will be back before they think he’s ready. Before AJ’s Mixer comments, it had been reported that AJ and WWE officials are optimistic that he will be back in time for WrestleMania 36, but that was before today’s announcement was made.

Below is WWE’s announcement confirming Styles’ injury today:

AJ Styles out indefinitely with a shoulder injuryAJ Styles is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury and is recovering way ahead of doctor’s projections.

The Phenomenal One suffered the injury during the Men’s Royal Rumble Match.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AJ Styles Injured At The Royal Rumble

It appeared that AJ Styles exit from the Royal Rumble match seemed to occur earlier than planned and now we’ve learned it was due to injury.

The Wrestling Observer reports Styles suffered a shoulder separation during the Royal Rumble match on Sunday.

In case you missed it, WWE Hall of Famer Edge made his shocking return to the company in the match and landed a flurry of spears on everyone in the ring. The injury to Styles appeared to occur while he was on the receiving end of a spear moments later.

The severity of AJ’s shoulder injury is unclear at this time.

Styles will be undergoing testing to determine the severity of the injury as soon as possible, perhaps at RAW today.