AJ Styles Talks Vince McMahon Initially Doubting His Popularity With Fans

WWE United States Champion AJ Styles was recent a guest on former WWE Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian’s podcast, E&C’s Pod Of Awesomeness, to talk about his journey in WWE. During their conversation “The Phenomenal One” talked about Vince McMahon doubting his popularity with fans prior to his WWE debut at last year’s Royal Rumble, and how having a relationship with “The Chairman Of The Board” has made all the difference in his WWE career. Here’s what he had to say:

Vince McMahon initially doubting his popularity with fans prior to last year’s Royal Rumble:

“I didn’t know if anybody was going to know who I was. I was gone for almost two years and now I was debuting in Orlando [Florida], which benefited me in WWE.”

“The way that they did it, with coming out number three, it couldn’t have been any better. It really couldn’t’ve. The reaction was unbelievable. I did not expect that. It’s one of those things in WWE history that will be forever there because it was that kind of reaction that I didn’t expect. I don’t think anybody expected that. I definitely don’t think Vince expected that because I’ve heard stories that he’s like, ‘nobody’s going to know who this guy is and you want him out number three!’ So it definitely worked out to my benefit.”

Having a relationship with McMahon and it making all the difference in his WWE career:

“It made the biggest difference and I learned that he wants to talk to you. He wants to have a relationship with you and it’s up to you to do that. I mean, the guy’s super busy, so I try not to bother him unless I have something that I think is important, but it’s nice to know that there’s one guy I can talk to and he’ll tell me ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and that’s it.”

Check out Styles’ interview with Edge and Christian by clicking here.

H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions