AJ Styles on Keeping His WWE Debut a Secret, NJPW Stars Coming In, Post-Retirement with WWE, More

– AJ Styles is the guest on the latest episode of “Talk is Jericho” with Chris Jericho.

Regarding his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble in Orlando, AJ said he was kept hidden for most of the day before being brought into the Amway Center. He said he wasn’t sure if fans would be receptive to his appearance in the 30-man main event and he wondered if they would even know who he was. Styles said he found out he was debuting in the Rumble just a few days before. He flew into Tampa instead of Orlando as WWE wanted his debut to be a secret. When he was driven into the parking lot of the Amway Center, he was told to lay down in the back seat of the car. Sunday was also the first time Styles officially met Triple H and shook his hand. They had talked on the phone but that was their first meeting. AJ also talked about briefly meeting with Vince McMahon and discussing his character.

Jericho asked if Styles going to NXT was an option and AJ said he hated to admit it but he was “very relieved” when he learned he wouldn’t have to work developmental. He did say he would have made the best of it and proven himself as part of NXT, and he made it clear that he wasn’t taking anything away from anyone in NXT. He also mentioned how WWE contracts come with opportunities you don’t get elsewhere, noting that he could work as a trainer or an agent once his in-ring career is over.

Regarding fellow former New Japan Pro Wrestling stars Shinsuke Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson coming to WWE, Styles implied that Anderson and Gallows are on their way. He said, “Those guys are finishing up, Nakamura’s on his way.”

You can read a detailed recap of the interview with more highlights at this link. You can listen to the full interview with Styles and Jericho at this link.

John Cena FINALLY Turning Heel?, Big Hogan – WWE Update, Vince – Bryan Story, WWE Very High on a Diva, Huge WWE – Goldberg Update, WM 32 Updates on Cena and Cesaro, Major Handicap Match at WrestleMania?, Big News on Vince and Finn Balor’s Main Roster Stable, WWE Merging Two Top Stables?, Change for Roman Reigns Due to Terror Attacks?, Must See New Lana & AJ Lee & Maryse, Lots of New GIFs & Exclusives, More