Former WWE star explains why Vince McMahon wanted him to "squash" AJ Styles
Vince McMahon was in charge of WWE's creative direction when AJ Styles joined the company in 2016. In a recent YouTube video, Ryback recalled how the WWE Executive Chairman initially wanted him to "squash" Styles at WrestleMania 32.
Styles made his main roster debut as a surprise entrant in the 2016 Royal Rumble match. Around the same time, Ryback received an offer from WWE management to extend his contract. However, he had not yet decided whether he wanted to re-sign.
On Ryback TV, The Big Guy said McMahon planned for him to record a statement-making win over Styles at WWE's biggest show of the year:
"He had told me he was gonna give me AJ Styles at WrestleMania, which they were gonna figure me in heavily to continue to build me up eventually for the WWE Championship run, in which he wanted me to squash AJ Styles, and he literally [said], 'Squash him like a bug.' Out of Vince's mouth directly." [4:33 – 4:48]
According to Ryback, McMahon told him about the Styles plan to persuade him to sign a new contract:
"AJ was very new. They were trying to get me re-signed. They do this often. They will use creative to get guys to put pen to paper. Problem was, is I wasn't putting pen to paper." [4:48 – 4:59]
Ryback and WWE were unable to come to terms on a new deal. The 41-year-old's contract expired in August 2016 after a 12-year association with the company.
What happened to AJ Styles and Ryback?
WWE's plans drastically changed in the build-up to WrestleMania 32. Several prominent names were unable to compete due to injury, including Cesaro, John Cena, Luke Harper, Neville, Nikki Bella, Randy Orton, and Seth Rollins. Daniel Bryan also announced his retirement two months before the event.
With Ryback's future looking uncertain, Vince McMahon booked him to unsuccessfully challenge Kalisto for the United States Championship on the WrestleMania 32 kickoff show.
AJ Styles, appearing at his first WrestleMania, lost to Chris Jericho in one of the most surprising outcomes of the night.
Would you like to have seen AJ Styles vs. Ryback at WrestleMania 32? Let us know in the comments section below.
Please credit Ryback TV and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.