AJ Styles comments on coming up with the Spiral Tap because Billy Kidman hated him for using the Shooting Star Press.
AJ Styles has always been known for his innovative offense. One of the most creative moves Styles utilized during the early days of his career was the Spiral Tap. While he doesn't do the move Much Anymore, when it is used, it is often in tribute to the inaugural TNA X-Division Champion.
Speaking about the origin of the move with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Styles noted that he came up with it because Billy Kidman was mad that AJ would use the Shooting Star Press to the floor during AJ's brief time in WCW. Therefore, in order to not disrespect the veteran, AJ created a move that he was sure Kidman wouldn't be able to pull off.
"So in WCW, I was doing the Shooting Star to the floor. Billy Kidman hated me. Hated. He would call me 'AJ Steals.' I wanted to hurt him so bad, legit, but he was Kidman at that time in WCW. He can't be touched at all, right? So they asked me if I wanted to do the Shooting Star. I was like, 'No, no, I won't do it because it's Kidman's move. I'll just do something that he can't.' That's how I came with the Spiral Tap. So yeah, all because Kidman hated me doing the Shooting Star Press, but at the time he wasn't doing it, so... He did come back and started doing it. So kudos to him," he said.
Elsewhere in this interview, AJ Styles speaks about how Vince McMahon wasn't familiar with his work from TNA because Vince didn't watch any wrestling outside of WWE. Read more about that and AJ's desire to work with TNA for a one-off in 2025 here.
Shane McMahon is another individual known for occasionally busting out a shooting star Press. Fans can read AJ Styles' thoughts on working with Shane O'Mac here.
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