WWE News: AJ Styles reveals the only thing he had to change for WWE
What’s the story?
AJ Styles was recently interviewed by the Hindustan Times about his time in WWE to date.
In case you didn’t know…
AJ Styles has been one of the very best wrestlers in the world in the last fifteen years. In a career that has taken him from small indy shows, through ROH, TNA and NJPW and finally to WWE, his amazing ability has always seen him to the top spots wherever he has gone.
Twenty-six different title reigns in TNA, two stints as IWGP champion and show-stealing matches across the independent circuit have all contributed to a fantastic body of work.
Not to mention a 'phenomenal' first year in WWE, where the reaction to his debut in the 2016 Royal Rumble blew both minds and eardrums.
The heart of the matter
Some wrestlers coming into WWE from elsewhere have a lot of trouble adapting to 'WWE style' -- not only the in-ring work but also the fact that the shows are being shot for television.
Some talents find it hard to wrestle for cameras, and also have to adapt to a slower pace, less big moves, and high spots. Styles just took it in stride;
"I never changed my style with respect to how I wrestle. The only difference was that WWE has a lot more cameras facing you than the independent circuit."
What’s next?
You would think a seasoned veteran like the 40-year-old Styles would be content with the level he has reached, you'd be wrong.
"Of course I have room for improvement. Look at a talent like Kazuchika Okada; he is one of the best wrestlers in the world and the kid is not even 30. He has won the IWGP championship at such a young age and when you see a talent like that, it inspires you to work harder."
Styles also has an upcoming feud with Baron Corbin to look forward to. There is hope within WWE that working with a talent of Styles level will encourage Corbin to raise his own game to match.
Author’s take
AJ Styles has nothing left to prove to anyone, so the fact that the near-20 year veteran is still looking for ways to get better can only be described as, well... phenomenal.
His previous experience with TNA will have aided him in wrestling for a TV audience, but the fact that he was able to instantly mesh with the "WWE style" in a series of high profile matches with Chris Jericho is proof of his talent.
Don't just take our word for it, go and check out his fantastic match vs Shinsuke Nakamura at New Japan's Wrestle Kingdom 10 event for a fantastic example of what might await us all on Smackdown Live in the near future.