AJ Styles looks back on signing with WWE.
AJ Styles was a surprise entrant in the 2016 Royal Rumble, marking his WWE debut after becoming one of the top names outside of the company through his time with TNA Wrestling and NJPW.
Appearing on Fanatics Live with Tyler Breeze, Breeze commented how he was surprised when AJ did find his way to WWE.
"I think I'm 37 when I come to WWE. The redacted name did not know me. He had no clue who I was. I think it was guys who had worked with me, probably with TNA and whatnot, that were able to say, 'Let this guy come in third at the Rumble.' Finally, he's like, 'Fine, let him.' Then, the reaction happened, but he still didn't beleive it. He was like, 'it's a fluke.' The next night, I had a match and it was okay but it wasn't anything special. He's like, 'I have 100 guys who can do what you just did.' What he was saying was true. I was trying to be something that is trying to be the babyface. I should have just been AJ Styles. He told me what he wanted and I was like, 'I know that guy,'" recalled AJ.
"The redacted name" is Vince McMahon, who has been accused of sex trafficking, emotional abuse, and sexual assault by former employee Janel Grant. McMahon resigned from his position at TKO Executive Chairman on January 26 after a lawsuit was filed by Grant and sponsors paused the partnerships.
McMahon's off-screen comments to Styles would eventually play out on-screen, leading to Styles having a rookie year in WWE that included winning the WWE Championship and feuding with John Cena.
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