WWE Backstage returns with AJ Styles!
He joins Renee and Woods in the ring, and even does some quick sparring with Renee. Surprisingly, Styles and Woods don’t have something like that despite knowing each other longer. Renee says her New Year’s Resolution was getting Styles on the show. Woods’ is to not fall asleep on the toilet. Too much mobile gaming in the bathroom.
But Renee brings up that fired up promo from Raw. So many people are talking about it. Styles feels he didn’t say anything the fans wouldn’t have said. But that’s the shock factor of it! The “retirement” after losing to Roman, and then he came back? Styles does have respect for Taker and what he has done for the industry, so hopefully this match happens. Woods says the biggest thing was that no one has talked like this to Taker ever. What was the impetus behind that? It was Styles just wondering, who is he talking to? The Undertaker or Mark Calaway? The American Badass and Limp Bizkit? Or the Dead Man? Styles is going after every single one of them! He’s after the guy who thinks he can choke slam Styles in his ring! Taker’s gonna pay the price! Styles is on a roll, now he’s going to rock!
Renee likes the fire Styles is showing right here. But the match with Taker, Styles has already done just about everything else there is to do in the industry. Was Taker on his bucket list? Of course! It has to be on everyone’s bucket list, really. It’s the Undertaker! This is huge! Styles wants to learn from this man. Styles studied Taker, watched all the matches, and wants to get in the ring with him.
Renee says it is interesting to hear that. Everyone else says Styles is perhaps the best person to lace up a pair of boots, so what is it that Styles feels he can still learn from Taker? Styles knows the old saying, that once you stop learning, it’s time to hang it up. Styles isn’t done learning. He wants to learn as much as he can. The older you get, you can’t do the same things you used to, but you do learn how and when to do what has the most impact. He can’t wait to sit down and figure it out with Taker.
Woods notes Styles made his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble in the Royal Rumble match. The object of that match is to be the last one in the ring. What was that like for Styles? Even after traveling the world outside of the WWE, it still terrified him. He met Road Dogg and these other guys, he was star struck. Styles felt like a guest in the WWE, but he was so excited. Woods jokes that he was mad Styles didn’t warn him. Styles didn’t know, either, until days before! But it was a huge moment, it was pretty intimidating. Styles was 38 back then, joining the WWE for the first time, it was intimidating.
Renee asks why that was the right time to joint he WWE. Styles says it was because they offered him the deal. Very true. But also, he was ready to “come home.” It couldn’t have happened in a more perfect way. Styles hoped to talk with Triple H first, didn’t happen. Styles talked with Terry Taylor, then HHH, and they had a great 30 minute conversation. He comes home without actually going home, because he flew to get his medical done, and boom, two weeks later was the Royal Rumble. It happened so quick.
Renee notes Styles has already done so much in the WWE, but one thing she sees a lot is talking to the younger, newer talent. What advice does he pass along? And who does he see as being the next big star? Styles doesn’t think he talks to “green” wrestlers, because they’ve already earned their way into the WWE. But this is a roller coaster. The ups, the downs, the internet saying whatever, but most of that talk isn’t true. Styles talks to those people who need to be reassured. Just keep doing what you’re doing, keep learning and improving, and you’ll get where you need to be. Other than that, he asks how things are personally, at home, and helps the others see the positives in their lives. As much as we love this business, it’s still just a job.
As to the other question, Styles sees the future being Ricochet, who is unbelievable. Cedric Alexander and Shayna Baszler, too. The opportunities are coming. Ricochet and Alexander are still amazing talents, as Styles knows from his quick rivalries with them. They’ll get there one day. They’re on the down swing now (as Alexander VS Tozawa on WWE Main Event) plays, but things will turn around. Even Styles had that, where it was someone else’s turn. Just wait, do your best, and be ready.
Woods says that he wants to move on from wrestling to talk video games! Renee knew it would come to this, and Styles is very excited! This is why Woods is here. UpUpDownDown plug. Woods has seen Styles’ gaming collection, and Styles has a still in box Mike Tyson’s Punch Out! Is that his most prized gaming possession? YES. It is in a box, in a box, in another box, wrapped in a bag. No one touches this thing. Footage shows he even has a GOLD CARTRIDGE Punch Out! Woods asks if the kids ever try to get in there. No, because they no better. Dad will give them the angry face and finger point! Renee wants to see Dad Mode Styles. #DadGrab!
This all sounds like an incident has happened before. Oh yes, it did. Styles’ original Game Boy with a huge magnifying glass for the screen, and his third son was messing with it. The Phenomenal Dad had a mini panic attack because the set-up needed to be set up just right. Styles will stick around for much more, and Booker and Ember serves up the in-depth Elimination Chamber analysis!
