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AJ Styles: If Anybody Else Could Call Themselves Phenomenal Bsides AJ Styles, It Is Marufuji

Wrestling
Corey Brennan Jul 13, 2024 9:57AM

AJ Styles comments on his battle with Naomichi Marufuji.

At NOAH Destination 2024, AJ Styles returned to Japan for a matchup with Japanese legend Naomichi Marufuji in singles action. Styles and Marufuji would battle for over 25 minutes before AJ successfully hit the Styles Clash to earn the victory, with the two men sharing respect following the final bell.

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In post match comments, Styles addressed his return to Japan and Marufuji as an opponent, noting that if anyone but him could call themselves phenomenal, it would be Marufuji.

"A talented professional wrestler. If I could beat him, then I'd beat one of the best, and I needed to prove that to myself. I've lost against the best, and I've won against the best. One of the best tonight was Marufuji. Excellent wrestler. If anybody else could call themselves phenomenal besides AJ Styles, it is Marufuji. He gave me everything that I wanted in a match and more. He's a class above the rest. I think a lot of his experience paid off tonight as he took me to the edge. He made it very difficult tonight. I was struggling out there, I won't lie to you. One of Japanese finest was in the ring with AJ Styles tonight. A lot of Japanese matches get five star ratings from people that really don't matter. But when you watch it back, you understand because it's always the fans that make the match. It's not the wrestlers, we're just there. The fans always, always make the best matches. The Japanese fans are one, if not the best in the world. If you wanna experience what it's like to be respected as a professional wrestler, come to Japan. They understand what it takes to get to where we're at and I have nothing but appreciation for the Japanese fans."

Styles last competed for WWE back at Clash At The Castle when he unsuccessfully challenged for the WWE Championship in an I Quit Match against AJ Styles.

For full results from NOAH Destination 2024, you can find them here.

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