AJ Styles skipped NXT when he joined WWE in 2016, but made his way to the brand in 2022 for his first singles match on the brand against Grayson Waller.
Waller and Styles kicked off a feud that dripped into WWE Raw with Waller appearing on the red brand to put a bigger spotlight on NXT, himself, and his upcoming bout against Styles.
Speaking to Ryan Satin on Out of Character, Styles revealed that it was his idea to head to the NXT 2.0.
"It wasn't really a surprise because it was kind of my call," he said. "I thought it would be a good idea for guys like myself to go down to NXT and really say, 'this is what we do on Raw and SmackDown so when you come up there are no surprises, no nothing, this is what we expect, these are the rules, by the way, they are little bit different than NXT, but this is what they are up here.' We're talking about guys who dreamt about doing something...when they say, 'Nah, we don't want you,' you're crushing their dreams and who knows what else (like) their confidence. I don't want that to happen. I know how that hurts. I was in WCW for a couple of months and then got my dreams crushed. Best thing that ever happened to me because I wasn't ready to be in WWE at the time. I don't want that to happen and don't want to see that happen to anyone. If they are not ready, then we'll keep them down there so they can be (ready). It's up to them whether or not they progress. I just didn't want to see them come up to main roster and be sent home."
Styles was no stranger to helping new stars as he spent the majority of 2021 aligned with Omos, helping get him acclimated to the WWE Universe.
"That's what we should be doing. We should be passing it down so that we can see the thing that we love...I love what I do and I want to see it progress and see it throughout the years. if we don't make new superstars then it's just going to dwindle away into nothing," he said.
Styles bested Waller in their singles bout and though AJ did not handpick Waller to be his opponent, he was impressed with the young star.
"I did not handpick him. He was handpicked by someone else, but it was great. I'm a very hard-hitting kind of guy and I like to get snug. I told him what I wanted and he brought it. I was like, 'Yes!' It takes me to a different level. When I get hit, I'm like, 'let's go.' I like that. He brought it and it was great," he said.
Styles now prepares for a different challenge as he will compete for the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber at WWE Elimination Chamber.
You can view the current lineup for WWE Elimination Chamber by clicking here.
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