In an interview with The Sun, TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles blasts the backstabbing nature of rival promotion World Wrestling Entertainment.
The TNA star said he has no interest in going to WWE based on second-hand stories he’s heard from wrestlers’ experiences in the politically-motivated backstage environment.
“From all the horror stories I’ve heard in WWE, there’s no reason why I would want to go anywhere else. Desmond (Wolfe) and I are going to work together to make this company the best for everybody. Where, in the other company, they will stab each other in the back to get to the next level,” Styles said. “It’s not about me. It’s about us in TNA.”
Styles said one year from now, TNA needs to be live and touring “week-to-week” outside the Impact Zone in Orlando. His main reason for wanting to venture outside of Orlando is so he can better gauge the effectiveness of his persona.
“Definitely live. Live every Monday night or Thursday night. I don’t care. Just as long as the fans know when it’s coming on. And that they don’t know what to expect,” Styles told The Sun. “That’s the biggest thing because with the spoilers, they go on (the Internet) and figure out whatever, but I want to be live going from state-to-state and not just in the Impact Zone.”
Styles added: “It’s hard to gauge who you are as a character in the Impact Zone because you have the same fans coming in who don’t necessarily want to enjoy the show, but be part of the show, and it’s hard to gauge how you’re doing as an entertainer.”
Styles also reassured fans upset about TNA parting ways with its trademark six-sided ring.
“Ring change is kind of upsetting at first, but then once you get in that ring, it brings the memories back – ‘Oh, there’s so much more you can do.’ But, for us, it absolutely does not make a difference to me. That’s why it was so bizarre to me at first why they would change it,” Styles said. “I heard that maybe the reason was to be taken more seriously as a company. I can understand that. I don’t care what it is that gets us to the next level as long as we get there.”
Styles and Desmond Wolfe also discuss Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff joining TNA, as well as what fans can expect on the company’s current tour of the UK. To download the 21-minute interview, click here.
