AJ Styles Talks Start In Wrestling, The Worst Shoot Beating He's Seen, If He Wants To Work In WWE
AJ Styles joined Rocky Romero along with AJ's fellow Bullet Club members Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on the latest installment of MLW Radio's "Talk'n Shop Podcast" (Episode #25). He was asked by the hosts about his start in wrestling and Styles recalled that his first match was against Michael Brooks in Cornelia, Georgia. He also said that someone once asked him to name someone who inspired him to become a professional wrestler and Styles answered "Benjamin Franklin," referring to his desire to make money in the business. The hosts of the show said that AJ is one of the few people who can say that and actually go out and make decent money, to boot.
A fan of the show posed a question via e-mail, asking the wrestlers to discuss the worst shoot beatings they'd ever seen.
"I've seen Low-Ki chop a guy's nipples off?" replied Styles when it was his turn in the discussion. "Just beat him, man. Some guys you've got to fight back or they'll just keep doing it. That's probably the first thing you learn in wrestling; you've got to take it or you've got to give it back."
One of the hosts said he'd seen Low-Ki beat up on Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) once. Styles asked if it was an issue in which Low-Ki had been in the business longer and Devitt had to show respect. The co-host explained that there wasn't any malice involved in the incident, adding that it was just the style of work at that point in time.
The guys also debated who invented the double foot stomp, agreeing that Low-Ki used it first, then Devitt. Someone interjected that Kevin Sullivan actually did it first but not from the top rope. There was general agreement that Sullivan did the move in a very stiff fashion, though.
Asked if he ever wants to go to WWE, Styles was extremely candid in his response.
"Why would I want to go to WWE?" he replied. "I mean honestly? They're struggling right now with the Network? I'm in the hottest wrestling company in the world?New Japan?and I'm with the hottest wrestling group. We can say it over and over again. It's absolutely true."
You can listen to the entire episode at this link. Note that this podcast contains very strong language.