AJ Styles Discusses Being WWE World Champion, His Athletic Ability

WWE superstar AJ Styles recently sat down with Hardcore Gamer to promote the release of the upcoming “WWE 2K17” video game. He discussed a number of topics, including being the WWE World Champion, his athletic ability in the ring, and more.

Below are some highlights from the interview:

On being WWE World Champion:

Hardcore Gamer] When you were in NWA Wildside wrestling Air Paris in two out of three falls matches while Jeff G. Bailey was searching trailer parks, did you ever thing you would be WWE World Heavyweight Champion?

[AJ Styles] Yeah, absolutely! There was a part of me that you couldn’t tell me that I wasn’t gonna be champion.

You were determined and here’s the proof.

I told my wife – my girlfriend at the time, that it would pay off and it certainly has. I’ve been wrestling for 17 years and in 2001, I got hired by WCW and this is how I’ve made my living ever since.

On his athletic ability:

Where did you get the athleticism? Because no one was doing Fosbury flops in ’02!

(laughs) I’ve got some Irish blood in me and they’re pretty good athletes – or who knows what’s going on. Being the smallest boy with three brothers, I had to keep up with them. Maybe that’s what pushed me.

You didn’t have the gift that age gave them – so you had to make up for it with moxy.

Didn’t have the size either! I was the runt of the family.

On his future after wrestling:

Talk about a guy who has turned his wrestling life and used it to help others – do you have any aspirations to help others after wrestling?

I enjoy putting together matches – maybe it’ll be down at the Performance Center. I definitely want to stay in WWE and I see as many great kids down there.

They’ve got the passion you had years ago where they knew where they wanted to go. I’m not exactly sure of the journey, but I know the destination and I’m gonna get there.

That’s it! I love seeing the passion on peoples’ faces and the excitement of putting together something great.