AJ Styles had no interest in doing a romantic storyline with a popular personality, reveals WWE legend
A WWE veteran has said AJ Styles didn't want to be a part of a storyline. The legend being discussed is Matt Hardy. He currently performs in TNA and previously shared the locker room with AJ in 2011 when both stars were signed to the company. Matt also worked in AEW for four years before exiting it in 2024.
AJ Styles, arguably one of the best stars in the industry, made a name for himself in TNA and NJPW before joining WWE in 2016. While he has a huge catalog of exciting matches throughout the world, Styles also was a part of a certain number of bad storylines in TNA.
In 2012, the Phenomenal One was involved in a storyline with Dixie Carter and Claire Lynch, where he was falsely accused of horrendous things. The star was portrayed in a bad spotlight after he was indicated to be having an affair with Dixie Carter.
Speaking on his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, the 49-year-old star said Styles had a reputation for being a family man and he didn't want to be a part of these types of stories.
"AJ, a very merry guy with many children, much like me, has a gaggle, and you know, he had no interest in doing these romance or even teases of like having some sort of romance or some child out of wedlock. I would do something that is more in his wheelhouse because he speaks very proudly of being a very loyal husband and a loyal and loving father to his children. So, I feel like you're doing yourself a disservice just by putting him in that position," Matt said. (H/T WrestlingInc)
AJ Styles said Dixie Carter ruined TNA
Dixie Carter is a former President of TNA and is known for producing controversial storylines in the promotion.
Speaking on his Twitch Stream, the former WWE Champion claimed Dixie tried to replicate WWE and ruined TNA.
"Do I believe Dixie ruined IMPACT? Well, it was TNA back then, and 100%. IMPACT, there was a time when it was really gaining ground. The problem was, Dixie wanted to be WWE-lite and that's not what people wanted. They wanted to see something else," he said.
It will be interesting to see if AJ Styles ever steps foot in the TNA ring again given WWE and TNA have good relations right now.