- 05/28/2016 (7:44:03 pm)
- Bob Mulrenin
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AJ Styles on Working With Roman Reigns and Why He Prefers the Dry Look
After a career spent building his reputation around the world, the Phenomenal One finally arrived in WWE this year – and he's definitely made up for lost time
A few short years ago, A.J. Styles was toiling in TNA, still one of the best wrestlers in the world but facing increasingly Sting-like questions about his legacy. Would the Phenomenal One ever stand in a WWE ring? He was in his late 30s, too small for of Vince McMahon's liking and emblematized a rival company. That's not exactly a recipe for success.
But then, Styles left the Impact Zone and put together an incredible late-career renaissance, thrilling audiences in Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Eventually, WWE couldn't ignore him any longer, and at this year's Royal Rumble, Styles debuted on the main roster – with a big fanbase (and an even bigger contract) in tow.
Last Sunday, Styles participated in his second-ever WWE main event at Extreme Rules, once again challenging Roman Reigns for the Heavyweight title. It was a great match, not to mention a continuation of one of the most surreal sagas in modern pro wrestling history. Here was A.J. Styles, the guy we watched cut promos with Dixie Carter a few years earlier, getting near falls on Roman freaking Reigns while 16,000 folks chanted his name. Never say never.
In the midst of his impressive run, Rolling Stone spoke with Styles about the the latest chapter of his storied career, working with Roman Reigns and why you'll never see him go Seth Rollins with his hair.
Are you surprised at how quickly you were moved into WWE's main event scene? Did you think it would take a little longer to get to this point?
I think it's a surprise to everyone, to be honest with you. I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't surprised. I was hopeful – I thought eventually I'd be in the main event because I have that kind of drive, but to be here so quickly, you don't expect that. But at the end of the day you have to give the people what they want, and they seem to like what I'm doing out here in WWE. You can't write a better way to put yourself over, and it makes me want to work hard and maintain where I'm at.
Tell me about the Monday after 'WrestleMania,' when you learned you were being booked to win that Number One Contender match. How did it feel to get that news?
Well first off, my kids know dad's wrestled his whole life, but they were very saddened to see my loss at WrestleMania, and it was kinda shocking to me that they were sad because they know what's up. However, I knew what was happening on Monday so I was excited about them getting to see that. I guess that's the first thing that jumped in my mind, "I can't wait to see the look on my kids' faces."
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