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Tag: AJ Styles

  • Chris Jericho Returns During Tonight’s WWE SmackDown

    Chris Jericho Returns During Tonight’s WWE SmackDown

    United States Champion Kevin Owens kicked off this week’s episode of SmackDown. Owens defeated AJ Styles at WWE Battleground via a roll-up. The crowd booed Owens as he stood in the ring. Owens was back to wearing a suit and tie to the ring. Owens held up the title and said that it just feels right. Owens referred to Styles as a “thief” and stated that he was happy to have his title back. The crowd started to chant “AJ Styles!” as Owens vowed to defend the title with the pride and the honor it deserves.

    Owens announced that he was reinstating the Kevin Owens United States Championship Open Challenge and that it will begin next week. The crowd booed and Owens said that “there is no way I would ever defend my title in front of a bunch of hicks in Richmond, Virginia”.

    AJ Styles interrupted and made his way to the ring to a great reaction from the crowd. Owens said that Styles better be out here to congratulate him and admit that Owens is the better man. Styles stated that he was in the ring to get his rematch for the United States Championship. Owens said that he literally just said that Owens would not defend his title tonight in Richmond, Virginia.

    Chris Jericho then appeared and the crowd went nuts. Jericho had the List of Jericho in his hands and joined Owens and Styles in the ring. Owens started freaking out and Jericho told him to be quiet several times. Jericho said that after a few months of rehabbing from Kevin Owens’ attack, he is back. Jericho stated that he was back to get his rematch for the United States Championship tonight.

    AJ Styles welcomed Jericho back but stated that he was next in line for a shot at Owens’ United States Championship. Jericho then added AJ Styles to the list for trying to cut in front of him for a shot at the US Title. Kevin Owens started walking away and Jericho called him a “stupid idiot” while he was on the entrance ramp.

    SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon then joined Owens on the entrance ramp and Owens rolled his eyes. Shane said that both AJ Styles and Chris Jericho will get their opportunity tonight. Shane McMahon announced that the United States Championship will be defended in a Triple Threat match tonight. It will be Kevin Owens (c) vs AJ Styles vs Chris Jericho.

  • AJ Styles Opens Up About Rumored Dream Match With Shawn Michaels

    AJ Styles Opens Up About Rumored Dream Match With Shawn Michaels

    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

  • Update On The Planned Finish to AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens at Battleground

    Update On The Planned Finish to AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens at Battleground

    If you couldn’t figure out what the heck happened at the end of the Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles match at Battleground, you are not alone. Something appeared to go wrong at the end of the match, though nobody is quite sure what.

    AJ Styles Heavily Favoured to Win

    Fans who follow betting odds were the first to notice something awry had occurred. AJ Styles went into the match a -4950 favourite. Such heavily favoured betting odds normally means that a Superstar has been booked to win. All other favoured wrestlers won their matches at Battleground.

    Wrestling historian, Dave Meltzer, has speculated that the finish of the match was changed last minute to have Owens win the title. How this plays into the botched finish however, is anyone’s guess.

    The ref was knocked out, then AJ and Owens exchanged submissions but neither tapped out. Then Owens countered into a pinning submission and a groggy ref counted the 3. The referee never missed a submission or a pin attempt, so why was he knocked out?

    Some believe AJ was supposed to have his shoulder up during the pin, and just didn’t do that.

    https://twitter.com/megal0maniak/status/889347378913869824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrestlinginc.com%2Fwi%2Fnews%2F2017%2F0725%2F628470%2Fbackstage-news-on-wwe-changing-backlash-ppv-finish-at-the-last%2F

  • AJ Styles Throws Out First Pitch At Phillies Game (Video), Jinder Mahal On Getting Advice From The Great Khali

    AJ Styles Throws Out First Pitch At Phillies Game (Video), Jinder Mahal On Getting Advice From The Great Khali

    AJ Styles throws first pitch at today’s Phillies game

    WWE United States Champion AJ Styles threw out the first pitch today at the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers game at Citizens Bank Park earlier today. Styles will defend his United States Championship against Kevin Owens at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia later tonight.

    https://twitter.com/nickpiccone/status/889195740270141442

    Jinder Mahal says The Great Khali has given him some advice for tonight’s match

    Jinder Mahal will defend his WWE Championship tonight at WWE Battleground against Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison match. The Punjabi Prison was introduced in 2006 and build for former WWE Superstar The Great Khali. Mahal revealed in a recent interview with The Times of India that he has recently received advice from The Great Khali. Here are Mahal’s comments to The Times of India:

    “I chose the Punjabi Prison Match because the match at MITB was in St. Louis which is Orton’s home town. It was on his terms; his father was sitting in the front row. So, when I had the chance, I wanted my match on my terms and my terms are Punjabi Prison match. It was invented by the Great Khali and he has given me some tricks and tips to how to win the match and I am more than ready to defend my title.”

  • AJ Styles On Standoff With Nakamura At MITB Being His Idea, Wanting Vince McMahon To See Reaction

    AJ Styles On Standoff With Nakamura At MITB Being His Idea, Wanting Vince McMahon To See Reaction

    AJ Styles recently spoke to Edge and Christian on E&C’s Pod of Awesomeness about his encounter with Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE Money in the Bank last month. During the match, Nakamura and AJ Styles were the only two Superstars in the ring. Styles and Nakamura proceeded to have a stare down and the crowd went crazy for it. It was a moment that felt special, especially for those who have seen Styles and Nakamura work together in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Styles and Nakamura then traded some punches and the match continued.

    Styles revealed on the latest episode of E&C’s Pod of Awesomeness that it was his idea for the stare down to happen during WWE Money in the Bank. Here is what Styes said on the podcast:

    “Well not to toot my own horn here, but that was my idea. Because I wanted to show Vince (McMahon) that there’s something special here. Something that people wanted to see. So let’s wait until we give it to them, and give them something bigger than just you know, a TV match. It was one of those cold chill moments that I got, standing in the middle of the ring looking through the ladder at Nakamura.”

    Photo Credit: WWE.com

    AJ Styles and Nakamura teamed up last week on SmackDown in a losing effort against Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens. However, Nakamura approached AJ Styles backstage earlier during the show and warned Styles that one day he will be coming for the United States Championship.

  • Kevin Owens Reacts to US Title Loss

    Kevin Owens Reacts to US Title Loss

    Former WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens took to Twitter to finally address his loss to the ‘Phenomenal’ AJ Styles.

    Styles won the United States title in a House show bout at New York’s Madison Square Garden, although this is certainly not the first time that a major title has changed hands at a non-televised event it is extremely rare.

    Owens ‘blacked out’ his Twitter account after the loss and has remained silent until now. KO had not commented on social media since July 5th but he has now outlined his plans to regain his title and once again become the Face of America:

    https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/884848276218011651

    https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/884848315631898624

    https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/884848354303373313

  • Smackdown Preview: New Face of America

    Smackdown Preview: New Face of America

    Smackdown Live! will air from the AT&T Centre in San Antonio tonight. No matches have been announced for the show (Edit: Tye Dillinger vs. Jinder Mahal, and Xavier Woods vs. Jey Uso have now been made official), but several storylines should continue to develop.

    Tonight’s show will be the first televised event for the brand since AJ Styles won the US championship in Madison Square Garden on July 7th.

    Smackdown Preview

    WWE posted the following regarding a future rematch between Styles and Owens:

    “There is no doubt that Owens will return to Team Blue thirsty for retribution, but will we see a rematch between Styles and The New Face of America this week on the blue brand? Or will we have to wait until the July 23 pay-per-view? ”

    It seems likely we get an answer to that question tonight.

    Other storylines likely to be followed up on tonight:

    • Baron Corbin attacked Shinsuke Nakamura in the back last week. Perhaps this will set up a match between the two at Battleground.
    • Last week Daniel Bryan fined James Ellsworth $10,000 and suspended him 30 days. Now Carmella must go it alone without Ellsworth’s help.
    • Last week Tamina came out to help Lana, after the Ravishing Russian lost yet another title match to Naomi. What could be building there? There have been no women’s matches announced for Battleground yet.
    • New Day won a Rap battle with the Usos last week. It is now official the two teams will meet again for the titles at Battleground. New Day defeated the Usos at MITB via count-out.
    • Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton meet in a Punjabi Prison match in 2 weeks for the WWE championship. Last week Jinder attacked Orton after his match with Aiden English (which Aiden won via DQ).
    • In 2 weeks Rusev will meet John Cena in a flag match at Battleground. Cena’s return spiked a big rating for Smackdown last week.

    Matches Announced for Battleground So Far:

    • John Cena vs. Rusev – Flag Match
    • Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton – Punjabi Prison Match for the WWE Championship
    • The Usos (c) vs. New Day – Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match
  • Backstage News On Why Austin Aries Was Released From WWE, AJ Styles On US Title Win (Video)

    Backstage News On Why Austin Aries Was Released From WWE, AJ Styles On US Title Win (Video)

    AJ Styles on winning the United States Championship

    AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens and captured the United States Championship tonight at a WWE Live Event at Madison Square Garden. Styles defeated Kevin Owens by hitting the Phenomenal Forearm. WWE posted an interview with Styles after winning the United States Championship and you can check that out in the video below.

    SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon and several WWE Superstars took to Twitter to congratulate AJ Styles on his surprise victory:

    https://twitter.com/catherinekelley/status/883494589813985280

    Update on why Austin Aries was released from WWE earlier today

    PWTorch is reporting that Austin Aries requested his release from WWE. According to PWTorch, Aries had grown unhappy with being stuck in the Cruiserweight division and saw more potential for himself outside the role he was stuck in on 205 Live. The report also stated that Aries had a bad attitude backstage and that made it easier for WWE to grant him his release. The report also claims that Aries was working through a back injury before asking for his release. Aries will most likely hit the independent wrestling scene in the near future.

  • AJ Styles Wins WWE US Championship At MSG Live Event

    AJ Styles Wins WWE US Championship At MSG Live Event

    AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens at Friday night’s WWE live event from Madison Square Garden to capture the United States Championship.

    Owens has held the United States Championship since May 2nd. Styles was scheduled to face Owens for the United States Championship on July 23rd at WWE Battleground.

  • AJ Styles and Chad Gable Comment on their Match from Smackdown

    AJ Styles and Chad Gable Comment on their Match from Smackdown

    This week on Smackdown, AJ Styles narrowly defeated former Olympian, Chad Gable, in singles competition. The match would determine who would move on to compete in the battle royal later that night, with a chance to earn a US title shot.

    While Styles would win the match, Gable won over the respect of the former WWE champion. The two shook hands after their match, and the sportsmanship continued on social media later.

    Chad Gable Single’s Push?

    Fans of American Alpha will note that little mention was given to Gable’s tag-team or tag-team partner on Tuesday night. This fact is fuelling unconfirmed speculation that Gable could be in-line for a singles push, and American Alpha might not be a team for much longer.

    Since forming in 2015, American Alpha has won the NXT and Smackdown tag-team championships. Since losing the belts to the Usos in March, the team has struggled to stay relevant in Smackdown’s tag division.

  • Video: AJ Styles Talks Cashing-In MITB, Lana on Her SDL Women’s Title Shot, Corbin on Attacking Nakamura

    Video: AJ Styles Talks Cashing-In MITB, Lana on Her SDL Women’s Title Shot, Corbin on Attacking Nakamura

    – In the video below, SmackDown Live star AJ Styles joined Talking Smack following last night’s (Tues. June 6, 2017) episode of SmackDown Live to discuss the upcoming Money In The Bank (MITB) Ladder match and when he’d cash-in if he were to win.

    Styles said it would all depend on how he feels after the match and if he’s in good physical condition. “The Phenomenal One” stated “Winners find a way to win,” and if he gets the briefcase, he’s focused on cashing in at the right time:

    – As we’ve previously reported, Lana made her SmackDown Live debut last night and also joined Talking Smack. Lana discussed receiving a shot at the SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Naomi at the MITB pay-per-view (PPV), seeing as the rest of the women’s division will be involved in the first ever female MITB Ladder Match.

    Lana claimed that SmackDown Live is “The Land Of Opportunity” and also said she has had doubters her entire life telling her she’d never amount to anything. After crossing the ocean and making it out of her ‘pathetic’ little village in Russia, look at where she is now. “The Ravishing Russian” says she will prove all her doubters wrong against Naomi and vows to make history. Check it out:

    – Following his attack on Shinsuke Nakamura, who defeated WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens in the main event of last night’s SmackDown Live, Baron Corbin took to Twitter to rub it in the WWE Universe’s face:

  • AJ Styles on Initially Hating The ‘Styles’ Name

    AJ Styles on Initially Hating The ‘Styles’ Name

    As we’ve previously noted, former WWE Champion AJ Styles was recently a guest on Rock 100.5’s Bailey And Southside during SmackDown Live’s recent trip to his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. You can check out some more highlights from Styles’ appearance here below:

    Initially wanting to be a luchador by the name of “Velocity”:

    “I wanted to wear a mask! I loved those [luchadors]. I’m so glad that didn’t happen.” Styles continued, “I wanted to wear a mask and call myself ‘Velocity’. What a terrible name.”

    Getting the ‘Styles’ name given to him by a random promoter and it stuck – but he wasn’t a fan of it:

    “I didn’t have a name. Everybody always called me ‘AJ’ anyway, so I stuck with AJ. And then, [the promoter] is like, ‘yeah, you’re tagging with Damien Still. We need a last name. Styles! Go!’ That’s it. That’s how the name [came] about. AJ Styles. I hated it. I hated Styles for a really long time.”

    Being willing to change his ring name once he arrived at WWE:

    “[WWE] didn’t say anything about changing it. I just assumed it would probably happen, but a year prior, maybe a couple of months prior, Samoa Joe had went to NXT and they didn’t change his name, so I thought, ‘well, maybe there’s a chance’. But, at the same time, I was like, ‘ah, I don’t care what they call me, Velocity, if you want to call me that, whatever.’ But I’m glad they stuck with AJ Styles and it actually worked out for everybody.”

    H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

  • AJ Styles Reveals How he Was Treated After Signing With WWE

    AJ Styles Reveals How he Was Treated After Signing With WWE

    WWE Superstar and former WWE Champion AJ Styles recently joined Bailey and Southside on Rock 100.5 in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Styles talked about making the decision to sign with WWE last year and how he has been treated backstage since joining the roster. Check out the highlights:

    WWE being the best place he has ever worked:

    “You can’t compare the WWE to anything else. It’s amazing. It literally is the best place I’ve ever worked and that’s saying a lot because I’ve worked at a lot of great places, but there’s just something special about the WWE.” Styles said, “here’s the way I usually explain it: so I played in the minor leagues. And then, I went to Japan and I also played there. And then, I came to the MLB. That’s basically how it happened. You’ve got to show them what you can do. You’ve got to prove yourself wherever you go and work your way to the top.”

    It being a different time in the WWE as all the guys are big men who can move:

    “Things have changed. Not everybody is 6’8″ and 400 lbs. That’s not the way we went. We actually went the different direction where normal looking guys like myself are getting in the ring and performing at a huge level. We’re giving the fans what they want to see.”

    How he has been treated backstage since arriving at WWE:

    “When you go from one locker room to another, everything changes because you’re the new guy. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the ring or this whole [pro] wrestling thing. You’re the new guy and I expected that when I came to the WWE, like, ‘okay, I need to kind of keep to myself.’ But what I didn’t understand is a lot of guys were watching me when they were in their teens and they respected what I had done and treated me with respect right from the get-go, so I was a little surprised by that, but, at the same time, I’m happy that we have that kind of locker room.”

    H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions 

  • AJ Styles Turns 40, Cameron Talks Possible WWE Return, Zack Ryder Poll

    AJ Styles Turns 40, Cameron Talks Possible WWE Return, Zack Ryder Poll

    – SmackDown Live star AJ Styles is celebrating his 40th birthday today. He was born June 2nd, 1977. Happy Birthday to the Phenomenal one!

    – Former WWE Superstar Cameron recently spoke to Extra about her new photo shoot in Icon Magazine. When asked about a possible return to WWE, Cameron said they left on good terms and has no ill will towards anybody there. She’s grateful for her time in WWE and appreciates “all the love and hate” she received over the years from the WWE Universe.

    “I would definitely love to come back in the future to show the WWE Universe my full potential,” she said. “I like to say this isn’t goodbye but more like see you later. There will forever be a chip on my shoulder. Maybe one day I will be able to prove myself to the WWE Universe.”

    – As seen below, Curt Hawkins recently issued a Twitter poll asking fans if Zack Ryder should team with him or Mojo Rawley when he returns from the knee injury this summer. 60% of fans voted for Hawkins as of this writing. Also below is a reply from Mojo, who says his former “Hype Bros.” partner should team with James Ellsworth instead.

  • AJ Styles Reveals The One Man He’d Really Like to Get Into The WWE Ring With

    AJ Styles Reveals The One Man He’d Really Like to Get Into The WWE Ring With

    Former WWE Champion AJ Styles is currently on a mission to once again be “The Champ That Runs The Camp”, as he is set to be a part of the WWE’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match later this month at the MITB pay-per-view (PPV) from St. Louis, Missouri. Recently, “The Phenomenal One” joined Rock 100.5’s Bailey And Southside in Atlanta, Georgia to talk about his WWE career, and you can check out some of the highlights below:

    Who he’s looking forward to facing the most in WWE:

    “Well, I can tell you there [are] a lot of people that want to see Nakamura, Shinsuke Nakamura, and myself in the ring. We’ve done it before for a different company, but never in the WWE.” Styles added, “I think something like that is going to happen. It has to.”

    Shinsuke Nakamura’s awkward style:

    “He’s a different cat. There’s no doubt about it. He’s a big Michael Jackson fan and you can see that. His performance, everything he does, he’s Michael Jackson, but he’s a heck of an athlete. He’s an MMA guy, he knows his stuff and he will kick your head off. That’s legit. He fought in mixed martial arts, so the guy knows what he’s doing, so he’s kind of a bad dude despite the fact that his stuff is Michael Jackson and that doesn’t come off as very intimidating, but it isn’t a laughing matter when he puts that boot up against your face.”

    H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

  • WATCH: AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura from Wrestle Kingdom 10 for Free

    WATCH: AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura from Wrestle Kingdom 10 for Free

    New Japan Pro Wrestling has released the classic bout between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura from 2016’s Wrestle Kingdom 10 show for free on YouTube/NJPW World.

    This was the first ever singles encounter between AJ and Shinsuke, and it would end up being their only match together for New Japan. Both men reportedly handed in their notice to New Japan prior to this event, AJ appeared for WWE at the Royal Rumble later that month and Shinsuke debuted in NXT against Sami Zayn over Wrestlemania weekend. Their recent tag team match on Smackdown is the first time that both men have been seen together on a broadcast since January 4th 2016.

    The IWGP Intercontinental Championship was on the line in this match and it was generally regarded as the best match on the card. Many heralded this contest as the Match of the Year in 2016 so if you have not yet had the chance to view it or you have never seen Shinsuke Nakamura outside of his WWE run then now is your chance:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGc84UXduqE

  • Former WWE Talent on Why AJ Styles Turned Down WWE Initially

    Former WWE talent Simon Dean was recently a guest on the Pancakes and Powerslams Show to talk about a variety of pro wrestling topics. During the interview, Dean revealed why AJ Styles declined to sign with WWE in favor of TNA years ago. You can check out what he had to say here:

    “I was right there for it,” Dean said. “It was me and AJ. We were in Australia doing a tour for World Wrestling All-Stars. I told him I had been signed by WWE. They had a tryout in Cincinnati and he had went to that. I thought I was going to have to go to that, and I didn’t, I went right through it. In Cincinnati, he’d told me basically, after the tour in Australia we’d come back, and they had a [show] in Vegas.

    “Bob Ryder and Jeff Jarrett had come up to me, and they told me that they were launching this new company called TNA. I told them that I had just signed with WWE, and I want to give it a shot. They wanted me to come to TNA, and they wanted to build the company around AJ. So, it’s not that AJ never wanted to go to the WWE, it was just that the offer was never right for AJ to come to WWE.”

    You can listen to the interview by clicking here.

    H/T to Daily DDT for the transcribed quotes

  • AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens – Lifetime Records Against Each Other

    AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens – Lifetime Records Against Each Other

    AJ Styles challenges Kevin Owens for the US title this Sunday at Backlash. As both have over a decade of experience, and competed all over the world, I thought it might be interesting to review their history against one another.

    Kevin Steen vs. AJ Styles Outside WWE

    Kevin Owens (then Kevin Steen) and AJ Styles competed against each other on the independent scene in 2005-06. Their main battles were in PWG, but they also met for a local Quebec City promotion, Elite Wrestling Revolution.

    • AJ Styles & Kevin Steen defeated Christopher Daniels & Excess – January 8th 2005, Quebec City, Quebec – EWR
    • Kevin Steen defeated AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels & El Generico – March 12th 205- PWG
    • AJ Styles defeated Kevin Steen – 2-of-3 falls, May 8th 2005, EWR
    • Kevin Steen defeated AJ Styles – Steen wins PWG title from AJ- August 5th 2005- PWG
    • AJ Styles defeated Kevin Steen – 2nd round BOLA 2005 – September 4th 2005
    • Kevin Steen defends PWG title successfully against AJ Styles, and Chris Bosh (not the basketball player) – PWG – October 14th 2005
    • Joey Ryan defeated Kevin Steen, AJ Styles, and Chris Bosh- PWG – February 4th 2006

    The two would meet twice in 2014 as well, for 2CW and Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore:

    • AJ Styles defeated Kevin Steen – March 14th 2014- 2CW
    • AJ Styles defeating Kevin Steen – June 7th 2014- House of Hardcore V

    Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles in WWE

    Kevin Owens and AJ Styles got reacquainted with each other on AJ Styles’ first night in WWE. Owens was responsible for eliminating AJ from the 2016 Royal Rumble, the night AJ debuted in WWE.

    WWE match history (house shows not included):

    • Kevin Owens defeated AJ Styles – Smackdown March 14th 2016
    • Kevin Owens defeated AJ Styles – Raw March 21st 2016
    • AJ Styles defeated Cesaro, Jericho, and Owens – Fatal 4-way – Raw April 4th 2016
    • AJ Styles & Cesaro defeated Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens – Raw May 23rd 2016
    • Kevin Owens defeated AJ Styles – MITB Qualifier – Raw November 20th 2016
    • Kevin Owens, Jinder Mahal, & Corbin defeated Styles, Orton & Zayn – Smackdown May 9th 2017
  • SmackDown Preview For Tonight, Current Backlash Card

    SmackDown Preview For Tonight, Current Backlash Card

    Tonight’s episode of Smackdown Live take place from Manchester, NH and is the ‘go-home’ show ahead of WWE Backlash this Sunday. WWE is advertising two matches for the show:

    • AJ Styles vs. Jinder Mahal

    This match pits the two male singles title challengers at Backlash against one another. Jinder takes on Randy Orton for the WWE championship on Sunday, while AJ Styles challenges Kevin Owens for the US title.

    • Randy Orton vs. Baron Corbin

    As of this writing, Baron Corbin is not booked for a match at Backlash.

    Updated Backlash Card

    Ahead of tonight’s SmackDown, WWE has confirmed five matches for Sunday’s Backlash PPV:

    • WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal
    • SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. Breezango
    • US Champion Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles
    • Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch & Naomi vs. Carmella, Natalya and Tamina Snuka
    • Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
  • AJ Styles Explains Why All New WWE Talent Should Go Through NXT (Video)

    AJ Styles Explains Why All New WWE Talent Should Go Through NXT (Video)

    Former WWE Champion AJ Styles was interviewed by Inside the Ropes last week when WWE was in Glasgow, Scotland. Last week we covered Styles comments about The Undertaker’s “heartbreaking” retirement at WrestleMania 33, which you can read about here.

    The Phenomenal One also spoke about NXT and why he feels it’s essential for new talent signed to WWE to spend time in the company’s developmental promotion. Styles skipped NXT and went straight to the main roster as a surprise entrant in the 2016 Royal Rumble. However, Styles admits he’s actually jealous of the NXT talent and anybody who gets that experience .

    “Well I gotta tell you, I’m very jealous of the performers who’ve come up through NXT,” Styles admitted. “They are like family. They know each other by their given names, their birth names. And so when they talk about each other I’m like ‘Who is that? Who are you talking to?’ So I’m like ‘Don’t call them by their birth name, call them by their WWE name.’ So I’m jealous of that, they have that family atmosphere, that’s the great thing about NXT”

    He continued, “And I’ve said this also, back in – you know, way back then, years and years ago, there were people getting stabbed in the back so others can climb to the top. That’s not the way it’s done in NXT because you can actually care about the guy across from you. You know them, you know what they went through, you see them train, you’ve seen how hard they work. So you have a passion for each other and love man, so you want to see them do well. They love each other, and I think that’s the most important thing in the WWE right now.”

    “I’ve seen guys work so hard together because they love each other like family. They see how hard each other has worked through NXT and made their way finally to the main roster. I think that’s really important. For WWE alone. When you got some of the guys I care about most in this business, my best friends, are the guys I have the best matches with. That hopefully never changes in the WWE, because of NXT.”

  • AJ Styles Talks About His Relationship With Vince McMahon (Video)

    AJ Styles Talks About His Relationship With Vince McMahon (Video)

    SmackDown Live star AJ Styles was recently interviewed by Inside The Ropes and spoke about his relationship with WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon.

    Styles had a long career before he arrived in WWE as a surprised entrant in the 2016 Royal Rumble. Since his debut, Styles has gone on to have stellar matches John Cena, had a lengthy run with the WWE Championship and is arguably one of the top performers in the company. His WWE Championship run and his prominent placement at the top of the card do not come without the blessing of Vince McMahon.

    During his talk with Inside the Ropes, AJ Styles shed some light on how he won Vince McMahon over. Nobody questions Styles’ in-ring abilities and he can more than hold his own on the microphone. What he believes really won Vince over was the fact that he’s a team player and gives his all for the sake of the company – not just his own personal advancement.

    “I think that once you proven yourself to Vince McMahon that you’re not some guy that only cares about himself and only wants to get himself over at the expense of stabbing someone in the back….This isn’t about me, this is about us. Let’s find a way to make WWE bigger, better and more popular and more exciting”

    Styles believes Vince McMahon appreciates his contributions this far, which is probably one of the reasons he got the opportunity to wrestle Vince’s son Shane at WrestleMania 33 in one of the featured matches on the card.

    “When he sees that in someone, when he sees that passion in someone, everyday you get a little bit more trust with Vince McMahon and I want that,” he said. “He’s my boss and I can go in there anytime and talk to him if I need be. There is a relationship there that I enjoy and I want to get stronger. Day in and day out, I want to prove to him that I care about us, rather than me. And I think he appreciates that.”

    You can check out AJ Styles’ comments about Vince McMahon below:

  • AJ Styles Wants to Make the US Title as Important as the WWE Championship

    AJ Styles Wants to Make the US Title as Important as the WWE Championship

    SmackDown Live star AJ Styles was interviewed by Sky Sports to promote WWE’s ongoing European tour. During the conversation, Styles explains why he loves wrestling in the UK and his big plans for the United States Championship, currently held by Kevin Owens.

    “I love the UK,” he said. “I’ve been wrestling for 18 years and it’s always been one of my favourite countries to visit because they have some of the craziest fans. They love what we do, especially the WWE.”

    Styles continued, “You’d better watch out because, as we’ve seen, we get a lot of UK fans that come out for Wrestlemania and the Monday and Tuesday after on live TV they’ll take over the show if you don’t watch it.”

    AJ Styles has already reached the top of the mountain in WWE, having had a lengthy run with the WWE Championship last year. You can bet that he’ll be back in the WWE Championship mix at some point, but for now he’s got his hands full with United States Champion Kevin Owens. The two will do battle at WWE Backlash on Sunday, May 21st and Styles says he’s taking the championship opportunity seriously.

    “I think the United States Championship is as big of a deal to me as the WWE Championship, I’m just not in line for that right now and that’s okay,” Styles said. “I set goals and being U.S. Champion is one of those and I want to make that Unites States Championship as important as the WWE Championship.”

    He said he’s excited to feud withKevin Owens and revealed he’s actually considered moving to the UK. It’s a pretty good interview and you can check it out at SkySports.com.

  • AJ Styles Talks About The Undertaker’s “Heartbreaking” Retirement & Taker’s Contributions To WWE

    AJ Styles Talks About The Undertaker’s “Heartbreaking” Retirement & Taker’s Contributions To WWE

    SmackDown Live Superstar AJ Styles was recently interviewed by Record Sport Online and spoke about The Undertaker, who seemingly retired at WrestleMania 33. The Dead Man never formally announced that he will never wrestle again, but his send-off at WrestleMania and WWE’s handling of the situation indicate we have seen the last of him inside the ring.

    Styles revealed that he and The Undertaker have a strong friendship that developed because they have a mutual (unnamed) close friend. Styles called Undertaker’s apparent retirement heartbreaking and gave him credit for shaping WWE into what it is today.

    “I could tell you, I was emotional because he’s my friend,” Styles said. “He and I have got a relationship..both of us have the same friend who we’re very close to, so then he and I developed this relationship without even knowing each other that well. But, it was heartbreaking, because this is the guy that’s been here for so long, and has shaped the WWE into what it is now.”

    Styles acknowledged that The Undertaker’s future is not certain, but Taker’s legacy has been cemented and his contributions to WWE are undeniable.  “Is he gone? I don’t know, but you would assume,” he continued. “I think there were some tears from fans that they may have seen the last of The Undertaker, and at the end of the day, if he’s done, I respect the heck out of him for doing it his way and doing what he wanted to do in his last match.”

    Styles added that The Undertaker “is and was” everything to WWE and he’s thankful he got a chance to talk to him. He called The Undertaker a great guy who will be missed, if he is in fact done.

  • Nakamura, Styles & Orton Wrestle After SmackDown, Kevin Owens Personalizes Title (Video)

    Nakamura, Styles & Orton Wrestle After SmackDown, Kevin Owens Personalizes Title (Video)

    After SmackDown went off the air, AJ Styles, Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Dolph Ziggler, Jinder Mahal & Erick Rowan. Below are some photos and videos of what went down after SmackDown:

    https://twitter.com/TsarinaVonBlack/status/859619178394902528

    https://twitter.com/TheNextBlGThing/status/859613805935960064

    Kevin Owens defeated Chris Jericho in the main event on SmackDown to recapture the United States Championship. After the match, Kevin Owens brutally attacked Jericho and placed his head between a chair. Owens then slammed the chair into the ring post. WWE has uploaded a new video of Kevin Owens ripping Jericho’s name plate of the United States Championship.

  • Nakamura Teasing Feud With AJ Styles, Charlotte Makes History, Aliya’s Phantom Bump

    Nakamura Teasing Feud With AJ Styles, Charlotte Makes History, Aliya’s Phantom Bump

    – WWE.com noted that Charlotte Flair made history on Tuesday’s SmackDown Live in her match with Naomi. Charlotte is the first female Superstar in history to battle one-on-one in Raw, SmackDown and pay-per-view main events.

    – The following video of Aliyah taking a ‘phantom’ bump at an NXT live event has been going around social media.

    – Shinsuke Nakamura posted this photo on Instagram with the caption, “See you later buddy.” Yes, that’s AJ Styles in the background. Now that Nakamura is a member of the SmackDown roster, an eventual ‘dream match’ with the Phenomenal One is a very real possibility.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BTYGGFogLoD/