AJ Styles on Possibly Working in NXT, Global Force Wrestling, and More

AJ Styles on Possibly Working in NXT, Global Force Wrestling, and More

Current IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles recently joined the guys of “Inside the Ropes” to talk about Ring of Honor’s new television deal, the rumors about WWE being interested in working with him, if he’ll be working for Global Force Wrestling soon, and more.

Styles did discuss whether or not he would sign with WWE and possibly work in NXT, much like his former TNA and Ring of Honor colleague Samoa Joe has. Styles says,

“The first thing I’m gonna do is what’s best for me and my family, that’s what I’m gonna do. People know I was in TNA, but I don’t think people think of me now as ‘The TNA Guy.’ Now they see me as a New japan guy or a Ring of Honor guy.

I had to work to make sure I wasn’t known as a TNA guy to get my product, being AJ Styles, out there again, but at the end of the day, like I said, whatever’s best for me and my family, I’ll do.

This is a business. Despite what people may think about ‘AJ leaving TNA,’ this is a job. I thought I deserved a little bit more for all the effort and stuff. To put that into in any other business, and to not get paid what I think I deserve, would be dumb.

You don’t work hard to take a step down, you work hard to take steps up. I went out and found a step up in the wrestling business, and if there’s another opportunity to step up, then I’ll do that.”

Styles also says that the idea of him working in Global Force Wrestling at some point is something that is on his mind as well. He says,

“I think that there’s definitely an opening, it’s just finding an opening in the schedule. That’s the biggest problem we’ve come across, as my schedule is so full that it’s hard to fit me in. That’s the problem we’re having right now. I always stay busy, but I’d say it’s only a matter of time before I show up in Global Force.”

Styles also discussed his reaction to the news that “ROH TV” was going to be shown on Destination America, after all the negative news surrounding the network and TNA Wrestling had been swarming around the Internet. He says,

“[The Destination America deal was] a huge shock to me. Did not expect something like that. It’s one of those things where I was told and I just started laughing.

It was just one of those things! I was so surprised…I just started laughing hysterically. I even called a couple of my buddies in Ring of Honor and we just chuckled together.

It’s gonna be fun man. We always did a great job with wrestling, but now there’s something to prove, and I think you’re gonna see a different Ring of Honor, in a good way.”

You can listen to the entire interview here.

Editor’s Note:

This is a great edition of ITR. Listen to it.