Former WWE Champion AJ Styles recently joined The Sam Roberts Wrestling podcast to talk about his journey in the WWE thus far. During the show, “The Phenomenal One” discussed the rumors that he would be facing Shawn Michaels at the Royal Rumble earlier this year, the notion that John Cena ‘buries talent’, and what he did that got himself over with Vince McMahon. Here’s what he had to say:
Rumored Royal Rumble match against Shawn Michaels:
“I’m just glad someone asked him because I actually pitched it, ‘can we… has anyone asked Shawn? No? Can we? Can someone just ask him? All he can say is ‘no’.’ And truthfully, I respect him so much as a man because when he said he retired he actually did it. He didn’t come back. And even I said, ‘well, money talks, doesn’t it?’ Not to Shawn Michaels. He’s a man of his word and at the end of the day all you have is your word.”
Styles added, “it really doesn’t do anything for anybody, so he was absolutely 100% correct and made the right decision.”
Learning a lot from John Cena and the notion that he ‘buries talent’:
“I learned a lot from him. It’s just the little things that he does.” Styles continued, “people aren’t going to like this, but I’m telling you, I’d say 90% of the things I’ve learned that I felt helped me tremendously is John Cena. The guy… there’s a reason he was able to stay on for more than 10 years and done what he has done in his career.”
“I don’t think that’s true (Cena burying talent). It’s up to you, if you leave after your storyline with John Cena to carry on what you’ve been called. Exactly, exactly. That’s all it is and if you continue to do that, you’ll find a way to get to whatever spot it is.”
What he did to get over with Vince McMahon:
“Well, I think it was the MizTV where I beat him up. I think that’s when he goes, ‘whoa, okay…’ It’s one of those things where you’ve just got to… I don’t know… I think Vince kind of likes a tough guy to some degree. And I’m not saying I’m Brock Lesnar, but I fought all my life.”
H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions
