AJ Styles is open to having a rematch with The Undertaker at WrestleMania despite the recent comments made by the legendary pro wrestler.
The former WWE Champion revealed during the fifth and final episode of his WWE Network docuseries that he has no desire to return to the ring again. This has caused many fans to think that he is retired.
Styles, who lost to Taker in a Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36, did an interview with Sports Illustrated where he was asked whether a singles match against Taker is still in his mind.
He stated once they were told they were doing a Boneyard match, all the ideas that they had were thrown out the window because they weren’t going to work the same as the Boneyard Match was a fight.
“There is still hope The Undertaker is going to have one more match. You can’t blame him if he decides that this is it. I don’t know how he feels about it. I still have ideas of what we’d do in the ring. I’m going to keep them, I’m going to save them if he ever wants us to have that opportunity together in the ring. It’s all up to Taker, but I’m holding onto those spots.”
Styles was then asked whether the end goal of the story would be to have a rematch at WrestleMania 37. He responded with, “it would be ideal.”
Styles noted that they need to figure out if Taker wants to do one more because he doesn’t know. However, if Taker does then Styles would be willing to take that ride with him.
It turns out that there’s more to the decision to move AJ Styles from Monday Night RAW to Friday Night SmackDown.
Last month, in an unexpected move, WWE announced that Styles was officially traded to SmackDown. A new report has shed some light on this situation and it involves former RAW Executive Director Paul Heyman.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted on the message board of F4Wonline that Styles “was furious” over Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson being released.
Per Meltzer, Styles reportedly blamed Heyman for their releases. Of course, Heyman doesn’t make the decision to release talent, but rather WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.
Styles probably felt that Heyman could have fought McMahon over that decision, according to Meltzer.
Anderson and Gallows are now free agents as WWE released them back in April alongside several other talent and staff who were part of the mass firings due to budget cuts related to the coronavirus impacting their business.
As noted, Heyman was removed as the head of creative for RAW this past Thursday as Bruce Prichard will now take over in addition to his responsibilities with SmackDown.
However, Heyman still has a WWE performer’s contract and will remain as the advocate of Brock Lesnar on television.
AJ Styles has become the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
During Friday’s episode of SmackDown from Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center on FOX, WWE held the tournament finals to crown a new Intercontinental Champion.
As seen on the show, Styles went over Daniel Bryan to become the champion. It was a long hard-hitting affair that saw both stars hit their signature moves. Several fans praised the contest on social media.
Back on the May 15th episode of SmackDown, WWE announced the full bracket for the Intercontinental Title tournament. There were 8 competitors in the tournament.
Styles, Bryan, Drew Gulak, Elias, Jeff Hardy, King Corbin, Sheamus, and Shinsuke Nakamura were confirmed as competitors.
WWE booked Elias vs. King Corbin, Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak, Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus, and AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in the first round.
The semi-finals of the tournament were supposed to take place on SmackDown with Jeff Hardy vs. Daniel Bryan and Elias vs. AJ Styles. But there were some changes due to a DUI storyline involving Hardy and Elias.
This tournament came about due to WWE stripping Sami Zayn of the title. The reason for this booking decision was due to Zayn being off of television.
CM Punk had taken some serious shots at AJ Styles while replying to a fan tweet recently and now the Phenomenal One has responded to his comments with the same sharpness.
The former TNA star recently had an interview with Times Of India where he talked about a number of things including his upcoming match with Daniel Bryan and more.
When asked about Punk’s comments, Styles made some interesting remarks saying that he would not react to criticisms from a guy who he doesn’t respect:
“I will not react at all coming from a guy like that I don’t respect anyway, it doesn’t really matter. Look, my job as a performer is to perform and get the mind off all the things that have happened throughout the world. I am not going to react to people saying ridiculous and stupid things.”
CM Punk ‘Shoots’ on AJ Styles
The comments in question came in response to a tweet where a fan had questioned AJ Styles for being quiet on the current events in the United States.
The fan had called out the SmackDown star for promoting his streams and claimed that his “silence speaks volumes” before noting that he is unfollowing the former champion.
CM Punk interestingly responded to these remarks from the fan and in a tweet which has since been deleted he wrote “Well. Come on. That one has been obvious for years.”
Now it would be interesting to see where this rivalry between the two former WWE Champions is headed next and how CM Punk comes back at AJ Styles.
AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura are considered to be two of the greatest in-ring performers of the current generation so fans rejoiced when WWE announced a match between the two for WrestleMania 34.
However, the bout between the two wrestling veterans failed to live up to the expectation of the fans and during his recent appearance on the After The Bell podcast, the Phenomenal One explained the reasoning behind it.
Styles first explained that the expectations for their match at the Show Of Shows after their Wrestle Kingdom 10 match were too high and Nakamura also thought the same:
“Expectations are way too high, I know Nakamura [thought so] too because no matter what we would have done in that match, the expectations were way too high.”
AJ Styles On The Difference In Crowds Of NJPW And WWE
AJ then claimed that the crowd is everything. He said the fans set the tone on what is a great match and their match in Japan would have not been declared great in WWE:
“It’s how they respond to it, and in Japan, they’re so respectful. When they do respond, it’s huge. Wow, this is such an amazing match, but had that same match been done in a WWE ring without the same response, it’s not going to be declared as that great of a match.”
Fans are everything. They dictate a great match.” said AJ Styles “It’s just the reality and the truth of the whole thing, and a lot of people don’t understand. The expectations, they were so high because what we did at Wrestle Kingdom. I was like, ‘oh man.’ I still think it was a great match.”
The Former WWE Champion gave the example of the match between The Rock and Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18, saying that the crowd reaction made it a classic match.
Shinsuke Nakamura challenged AJ Styles for his WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34. Though Styles managed to win this bout after countering a Kinshasa from the Japanese star into a Styles Clash.
The start of this week’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown was different as WWE did an interesting storyline involving Jeff Hardy.
Also, fans now know who will be in the finals of the tournament that will determine the new Intercontinental Champion as those competitors have been revealed.
The semi-finals of the tournament were supposed to take place on Friday’s episode of SmackDown in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center on FOX. The pair of matches were Jeff Hardy vs. Daniel Bryan and Elias vs. AJ Styles.
However, the show opened with a car parked on a curb with the hood open and Elias on the ground. Once EMT’s and police arrived, they found Hardy nearby and arrested him. Police found an alcohol bottle as well as the registration in the name of Hardy for the rental car. Elias was taken away by ambulance.
Hardy has a history of drunk driving and issues with alcohol abuse.
Thus, after a backstage meeting, it was determined that Styles would advance to the finals while Bryan would take on the winner of a 10-man battle royal in the opening contest.
This contest was won by Sheamus, who took on Bryan in the main event. As seen on the show, Bryan went over Sheamus thanks to a distraction from the returning Hardy.
The finals of the tournament between Styles and Bryan will take place in two weeks on SmackDown.
WWE made a surprising change to the SmackDown roster this week and traded the former World Champion AJ Styles from the Raw roster to the Blue Branded show.
The company had stripped Sami Zayn of the Intercontinental Championship and then announced a tournament for the crowning of a new champion last week.
Styles was the only Raw star to be included in the tournament brackets, which suggests that the officials had already planned this move by then.
The Phenomenal One then showed up on this week’s episode of the Blue Branded Show and competed in a first-round match against long time rival Shinsuke Nakamura.
AJ Styles went on to win the bout and he will now be facing Elias in the second round of the tournament next week. Elias had beaten King Corbin last week to advance in the tournament.
It’s interesting to note here that no trade has been announced for the former World Champion for Raw and he has instead been traded for a future draft pick.
This means that it’s very likely that we will see a big star from the Blue Brand’s roster being traded to the Red Branded Show in coming weeks and it would be interesting to see who it turns out to be.
The semi-finals of the WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament are set.
The second batch of matches in this tournament took place on Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center on FOX.
Those matches saw AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura with Styles going over and Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy with Hardy being victorious.
WWE held the first batch of matches last week that saw Elias defeat Baron Corbin and Daniel Bryan beat Drew Gulak, who departed from the company after the match after his contract had expired with WWE and the company deciding to nix the talks about a new deal when he asked for more money.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semi-Finals
Now, Bryan will battle Hardy while Elias is slated to take on Styles in the semi-finals of the tournament.
WWE announced when the finals will take place. It will take place next week on SmackDown.
WWE presents the Backlash pay-per-view event on Sunday, June 14, 2020 in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center that will air on the WWE Network. Time will tell whether the finals go down at this show.
WWE Superstar AJ Styles was unsuccessful in his attempts to claim the Money In The Bank briefcase during this past Sunday’s pay-per-view. Despite having the briefcase in his hands, “The Phenomenal One” would fumble the prize, dropping it into the waiting hands of Otis.
Although he wasn’t able to secure the win, AJ Styles still has his eyes set on some of WWE’s top Superstars including Seth Rollins and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. Those two clashed at the event in a title match, with McIntyre successfully defending his belt.
Joining WWE show The Bump, Styles discussed both men and whom he’d prefer to face for the championship if it came to it. AJ Styles admitted he didn’t have a preference, praising both as “super athletic” and “super on fire” when it comes to their performance. “They have what it takes to get the job done. There’s no doubt about that, they obviously have one who’s the champion what has been the champion.”
AJ Styles On The “Biggest Threat” To Championship Contendenders
AJ Styles then singled out current WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. He highlighted how McIntyre is on a “different level” at this time.
Acknowledging his extensive experience in wrestling, Styles stated how McIntyre has also been wrestling for a long while. He believes that McIntyre is the “biggest threat to anyone who wants to go after the WWE Championship.”
AJ Styles recently referred to the events at Money In The Bank as a “travesty,” perhaps hinting that he intends to take his issues with Otis further on-screen.
RAW Superstar AJ Styles has addressed the fallout of Money in the Bank from this past Sunday. Having scaled the ladder, he and King Corbin fought over the unhooked briefcase. Despite his best efforts to secure the prize, Styles would fumble the briefcase. Otis would catch it after Styles dropped it, winning the match in the process.
AJ Styles’ Anger
Taking to Twitter, “The Phenomenal One” vented his frustrations with the situation, believing he was cheated from his victory. He stressed how no one had heard from either Aleister Black or Rey Mysterio at the time of his message.
AJ Styles noted how King Corbin was “running from the law,” acknowledging how Corbin had seemingly hurled both Black and Mysterio off the WWE HQ’s roof. Styles then noted how he was “CHEATED out of #MITB by @otisWWE!” The entire situation is something he called a travesty.
Although AJ Styles wasn’t a featured part of last night’s Monday Night RAW, both Rey Mysterio and Aleister Black were on the show. The Superstars teamed up in a matchup against Seth Rollins and Murphy.
With his win, Otis now has the opportunity to challenge for a championship. It is unknown at this time whether he will be challenging for gold on RAW, SmackDown or NXT, or if AJ Styles will take issue with Otis’ victory on TV.
AJ Styles has addressed the critical reception to his return to WWE programming. Prior to his inclusion on Monday Night RAW this week, Styles was last seen being buried by The Undertaker during their Boneyard match at WrestleMania 36.
Acknowledging the criticisms over his comeback, Styles agreed that his return “could’ve been more” than what it was.
Styles addressed the topic during a recent MIXER stream. He confessed he had seen people talking about it and how they felt WWE ‘wasted’ their opportunity to bring him back in a more interesting way, whether that was as a different character, mood, or even a different look. AJ Styles agrees. He stated, “I’m with you.”
Also Read: AJ Styles Was Reportedly Expected To Stay Out Of Action Longer
AJ Styles Underwhelmed
He noted how the current coronavirus pandemic may have had a lot to do with WWE’s decision to bring him back.
AJ Styles came back as a surprise entrant in a Gauntlet Match. The competitors were vying for a spot in this Sunday’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Styles would ultimately win the match.
It was a comeback he felt was somewhat lacking, both in terms of return impact and competitors.
“[…] the circumstances, the match… maybe we needed some more star power in the match. Maybe that’s what that was,” AJ Styles said. “I don’t know, I’m not tooting my own horn here, but, I wish we could’ve waited and had times been different, that could’ve been something that we would’ve went [with].”
AJ Styles takes on Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black, King Corbin and Otis this Sunday at WWE’s Money In The Bank pay-per-view.
AJ Styles made his return to WWE programming this week on Raw and the Phenomenal One earned himself a spot in the upcoming Money In The Bank match at the show.
Dave Meltzer talked about the former World Champion on the latest episode of Sunday Night’s Main Event podcast and revealed that the original plans called for him to stay away from WWE programming longer.
AJ was apparently expected to spend more time on the shelf to sell his loss to the Undertaker in the boneyard match at WrestleMania 36 but the company changed the plans.
There is no news on why the decision was made but it’s speculated that the recent low ratings could be one of the reasons why he was brought back earlier than expected.
It’s worth mentioning here that Vince McMahon had talked about the low ratings on the 2020 Q1 earnings call and blamed them on the recent absence of big names from the WWE programming.
AJ Styles made his surprise return to WWE programming as the final participant of the Last Chance Gauntlet match on Raw and he defeated Humberto Carrillo to win the bout.
He will now be competing in the upcoming ladder match against Daniel Bryan, Baron Corbin, Otis, Aleister Black and Rey Mysterio at the Money In The Bank PPV this Sunday.
AJ Styles has made his return to WWE television and already has his match booked for the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event.
The former WWE Champion did so during Monday’s episode of RAW where he competed in the Last Chance Gauntlet Match. He ended up beating Humberto Carrillo to qualify for the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Also in the Gaunlet Match included Bobby Lashley, Titus O’Neil, Akira Tozawa, Shelton Benjamin, Angel Garza, and Austin Theory.
This match was done as a way to determine the replacement star for Apollo Crews in the upcoming contest. WWE did a storyline where Crews suffered an injury in his latest match against Andrade for the United States Title on last Monday’s RAW.
As a result of the injury, Crews was unable to finish the match and ultimately pulled from the ladder match.
Thus, this year’s Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match will see Styles vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Baron Corbin vs. Otis vs. Aleister Black vs. vs. Rey Mysterio.
Just like the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match will be held in Stamford, CT at the WWE headquarters. Stars will start at the floor of the headquarters and battle through the building until they get to the roof.
AJ Styles hasn’t been seen on WWE programming since WrestleMania 36 but now latest reports have revealed that the former World Champion would be returning to TV soon.
According to reports from Post Wrestling, The Phenomenal One is scheduled to make his return during the upcoming Money In The Bank go-home episode of Monday Night Raw.
The site also reports that AJ is expected to get involved in the men’s Money In The Bank match at the namesake PPV taking place from the WWE HQ next Sunday on May 10.
There is no news on what he will be doing at the show but there is obvious speculation of the former Champion’s participation in the last chance gauntlet match on Raw.
The last chance gauntlet match was announced because Apollo Crews was removed from MITB due to an injury. The company has not revealed the participants for the match so far and AJ Styles could be one of the persons to compete in the bout.
The former TNA World Champion was last seen on WWE programming at WrestleMania 36 where he competed against The Undertaker in a highly praised boneyard match.
Taker defeated Styles in the bout and it was reported later on that the company will be keeping him off television for a while to sell the loss.
AJ Styles started his wrestling career in 1998 and he spent the next two decades proving his excellence in the ring by travelling across the globe and competing at the highest levels at various promotions.
However, it took him a long time to join WWE and during a recent episode of The Bump, the former WWE Champion discussed the reason behind his late arrival in the company.
Styles first mentioned how he didn’t stay in one place to face the average Joe’s and discussed how smaller sized wrestlers were not given a chance back when he started:
“I didn’t just stay in one place and face your average Joe’s, I faced Kurt Angle. I mean, this guy was a former Olympic champion. A lot of those guys that were in the WWE came to where I was working. Then, I went to New Japan and did stuff over there.
“I would’ve been there earlier [WWE] if I could’ve. Sometimes, things work out the way they do. It’s a different time.” said AJ Styles. “Guys aren’t as big as they used to be. Guys my size are getting a chance, when back then, guys my size weren’t given the chance to be in the ring.”
The Phenomenal One also talked about his WrestleMania 33
match against Shane McMahon saying that he has a lot of respect for Shane and
their match was one of the better Mania matches he has had so far.
While it took time for AJ Styles to finally arrive in the company, he has claimed his rightful position in the WWE roster since his debut in 2016.
With multiple world title victories under his belt, it’s safe to say that he has earned his position as one of the greatest WWE stars in the history of the promotion. You can check out the episode of The Bump featuring Styles below:
AJ Styles has opened up about his recent Boneyard matchup with The Undertaker. Styles participated in the pre-recorded cinematic-style clash, which aired this past weekend during WrestleMania 36. Taking to Mixer, Styles shared his thoughts on the style of their bout and whether he believes WWE should continue pursuing this alternative.
Styles shared he was pleased with how the Boneyard match turned out. He believes that the majority of wrestling fans would agree that it delivered. He did note that for every 100 people, perhaps 2 or 3 fans didn’t enjoy the match.
“The Phenomenal One” acknowledged that it was different and that he “understands” why people may have had issues with it. He then pointed out that this week’s matchup between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa was “also a different match.” Those Superstars also clashed in a pre-recorded bout that acted as the main event for this week’s episode of NXT.
AJ Styles On Move Cinematic Matches & Reshoots
Whether WWE should continue with this type of matchup, however, has become a debated topic. Especially in relation to The Undertaker. Styles spoke about how he believes “less is more” and that if WWE delivers too many too soon, then “they’re not special.”
“So we gotta watch out with how many matches we do,” he said. “I think… every now and again, it’s a good thing. As great as it was, I don’t think it’s something we should do a lot because we’ll ruin it. I’m not saying the matches but, it’s special.”
According to AJ Styles, the Boneyard match disregarded reshoots completely. He shared that the match was shot “pretty much straight through.” There were no retapes, though there were some cut scenes. He revealed the only time they stopped was to get footage of the action from different angles. However, “if they didn’t have that shot, we didn’t redo it. We just went with what we got.”
Night One of WrestleMania 36 was headlined by WWE’s cinematic Boneyard matchup. The bout saw The Undertaker take on AJ Styles in a pre-recorded movie-style clash. During WWE show The Bump, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray shared how it was probably the best performance he had ever seen from AJ Styles.
Bully Ray praised several matches from across WrestleMania weekend. He shared that the Boneyard matchup was his favorite. He noted how the concept was an out the box idea, especially with The Undertaker showing up as The American Badass.
After the match, Bully Ray text Styles. He referenced the fact they have a history together, having both worked in the same companies before WWE. The Hall of Famer then relayed how he told Styles his match “was the greatest thing I’ve ever seen you involved in.”
He stressed how the match “didn’t include one wrestling move” and that wrestling moves didn’t matter. Instead, it was all about the storytelling and the spectacle. He explained how he had never been more emotionally invested in AJ Styles than during this match.
Bully Ray Proposes A Dream Match
Bully Ray argued how this match represented a rebirth for The Undertaker. He acknowledged how The Undertaker can’t continue to wrestle throughout the year, noting how he has maybe one or two matches left in him.
However, if ‘Taker continues to compete in cinematic matchups like the Boneyard Match, he wouldn’t be unhappy about that decision. If WWE does continue to pursue this style for The Undertaker going forward, Bully Ray explained it’s the perfect scenario to deliver a matchup between ‘Taker and Sting.
The boneyard match between Undertaker and AJ Styles was the highlight of night 1 of WrestleMania 36 and its production received praise from the fans. Whatculture has a new report on the bout and it reveals some interesting details behind the production of this first-ever match between the two wrestling veterans.
Some photos of the match’s production have surfaced online as well which you can check out below.
The chosen location was in Florida, but it was reportedly not anywhere near the performance center. The company hired an outside production unit to build the set. It took five days to complete the whole thing and eight hours to shoot the match.
Triple H and Michael Hayes were in charge of the production. The set was originally intended to be used for a promo but the quality impressed the WWE executives when they arrived and the concept for the unique bout was born.
Using Metallica’s ‘Now That We’re Dead’ song was always the plan but the set up for Undertaker’s entrance was changed.
The original plans for his entrance included an abandoned ditch and a bridge as well but the production crew warned them that it was city property and the company did not have enough time to get the shooting permit.
Undertaker & Styles Improvised
Interestingly, the trash talk between the two stars which many believe added a layer to the match wasn’t part of the original script and it was improvised after both Taker and Styles requested for it.
Triple H happily obliged to this request and after seeing the results, the Game eventually encouraged the participants to do as much talking as they felt they should.
The Undertaker made the decision to re-shoot his window attack on AJ Styles from a different angle. However, he ended up smashing the glass in the process. Both the breaking of the glass and the blood spike from the Dead Man’s arm were unintentional.
The final moments of the match also had an improvised spot. AJ Styles’ hand that was coming out of the grave after Taker buried him was a prop that Triple H and Michael Hayes had spotted earlier and they wanted to use it in the match.
However, the Executives couldn’t figure out what to do with it until the end and this is where Undertaker stepped in. He suggested the use of the hand, which was a call back to his own desperate bid for survival back at In Your House: Buried Alive in October 1996.
It seems that the improvisations in this match worked out in the favor of the involving stars as it made the match more interesting and the bout has been receiving high praise from the fans and WWE stars alike.
WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of Busted Open Radio Mark Henry recently discussed the WrestleMania 36 Boneyard Match between AJ Styles and The Undertaker. The bout took place on Night 1 of the event, and was arguably one of the most memorable main event matches in ‘Mania history. With a ‘cinematic’ feel to it, ‘Taker and AJ would fight to ‘bury’ each other alive to win the match.
The Worlds’ Strongest Man on WrestleMania 22
Mark Henry himself faced The Undertaker back at WrestleMania 22. There was talk at the time that Vince McMahon liked the idea of giving Henry the win in that match, and breaking the (then) undefeated Streak. Henry would of course not win, however he described on the Busted Open show just how important a match against the ‘Deadman’ was for his career. The ‘World’s Strongest Man’ would also go on to say just how important this match was for AJ Styles’ WWE career.
Importance of facing The Undertaker
“Yeah, it was really big for me, career wise and development wise” Henry began. “I had been in wrestling for a long time already. And I was getting it, and when that time came? I was prepared and I was ready. And I was able to give something back. But nonetheless, [it was] the high point of my career man. It did so much for me.”
“Just being spoke of in the same breath as the legend? The Phenom? The one that is the Deadman? It adds to your career, so amazing.”
Mark Henry
Mark Henry would finish by stating just how important he feels this is for AJ Styles’ career. “AJ Styles will come away from this match not just the ‘Phenomenal’ AJ Styles. He’ll be in inserted into the annals of The Undertaker and you’ll be linked to his career. And just being linked? Just being spoke of in the same breath as the legend? The Phenom? The one that is the Deadman? It adds to your career, it’s so amazing.”
“The American Badass” Undertaker showed up at WrestleMania
Although Henry made these comments before the match was aired live, it will be interesting to see just how this match affects AJ Styles going forward. There’s likely chance that Styles will get a rematch against ‘Taker in a more ‘traditional’ setting at the likes of a SummerSlam if the COVID-19 situation is under control at that point.
AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker is in the books. The Undertaker was able to beat Styles in a Boneyard Match at the WWE WrestleMania 36 pay-per-view event. The Undertaker brought back the biker gimmick.
It took place in a graveyard and featured The Undertaker fighting off Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and some druids. The match ended when Taker put him in a hole and placed dirt on him.
Undertaker’s Feud with AJ Styles & The OC
The feud started after Styles took some shots at him on Monday Night RAW through promos. Then The Undertaker made an appearance at the WWE Super ShowDown event during the Tuwaiq Mountain Trophy Gauntlet Match that saw Andrade, Bobby Lashley, Erick Rowan, AJ Styles, R-Truth, and Rey Mysterio compete.
Once The OC took out Mysterio backstage, we saw footage of Taker laying out Karl Anderson and Gallows before heading out to the ring.
Taker attacked Styles by hitting a chokeslam then pinned him. Fast forward, Taker also cost Styles his No DQ Match against Aleister Black when Taker made the save for Black at the Elimination Chamber event.
WWE confirmed the WrestleMania match on March 16th episode of RAW when the two stars signed a contract for the contest. WWE later changed the contest from a singles bout to a Boneyard Match.
AJ Styles recently did an interview with Newsweek where he spoke about a wide range of topics including WWE’s decision to split WrestleMania 36 into a two-night event.
The first night will take place on Saturday and the second night the following day. He was asked if WWE should make the event a two-night show going forward.
“I think we’ve got to do something, as a company. There are a lot of matches in one night, too many if you ask me. Either we cut down on the matches or have two nights. Either way is fine with me.
At the end of the day, it’s up to the fans and whether they are willing to show up. And at the same time, maybe give someone a chance who can’t afford two days they can see one day or pick the night and the matches they want to see. I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Next year, we’ll see what happens.”
Since the launch of WWE’s streaming service, WWE Network, the length of these pay-per-view events have been extended.
The big four shows – Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, Survivor Series, and SummerSlam – can last anywhere from four to six hours long.
This year’s WrestleMania is expected to have a four-hour main card with a one-hour pre-show.
WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the events of the Monday Night RAW. This week’s episode was once again filmed with no live audience, and a lot of the promo work was shot ‘backstage.’
Bully would compare the work between the ‘big 4’ promos on the show; notably Kevin Owens, Edge, Undertaker and Paul Heyman.
Bully Ray on Edge and Undertaker
“‘Takers promo was good, Edge’s promo was great,” Bully Ray began. “They were all [the big four], you know, all of them did a phenomenal job. But there was a reason why Edge’s was better. But man, all of these people talking to us. Edge made me want to put my hands in my pocket and pull out money to plop down on a pay per view.”
This will of course be Edge’s first singles match back in a WWE ring since 2011, following his return from a neck injury that kept him out of action. It was originally believed that Edge would never be able to return, but seemingly he has the fire and passion to cut some of the best promo work of his career over the past few months.
Selling Fans on a PPV
“And whenever I’m teaching students at the Team 3d Academy, and I’m teaching them about the art of the promo? I say I tell them you have one job at the end of this promo” Bully Ray elaborated.
“That one job is that when you’re done talking, no matter what you say, and no matter how long you say it for. Whether that’s one second, one minute, or five minutes. The idea is to make the fan want to put their hands in their pocket and plunk down 20 bucks for a T shirt. Plunk down 50 bucks for a pay per view, plunk down whatever for a ticket. And those four promos last night from ‘Taker, Edge. Owens and Paul? They all made me want to do it.”
“The only part I don’t think I liked? Is when ‘Taker said: ‘you mentioned her.'”
– Bully Ray
Bully Ray would then go into why he felt Edge’s promo was better, citing the fact that Undertaker’s may have felt a little bit more ‘scripted’ in execution. “Taker had me hook line and sinker” Bully began. “The only part I don’t think I liked? Is when ‘Taker said: ‘you mentioned her.’ [He] was telling AJ ‘you mentioned her,’ I knew that he was talking about his wife Michelle. But then when he had to go ahead and say her whole name Michelle McCool? I went, ‘Ah, don’t tell me her whole name I know her whole name already!’ that felt a little forced to me.”
Styles Clash vs Faithbreaker
Ray would then move on to the fact that Undertaker was trying to bring the Styles Clash vs Faithbreaker conversation into the story. With Michelle McCool seemingly ‘borrowing’ AJ’s move in the early 2010’s.
“Bringing up the name of the finish that Michelle McCool used, which is basically the styles clash, I guess she had given another name? That felt a little bit forced.”
“I personally never saw Michelle McCool use the finish. I know they showed me maybe footage once of it. I’m really not associating Michelle McCool with the Styles Clash, so it almost came across to me like Undertaker was really pushing his wife. To get over her. That part right there felt like a little bit of a round peg in a square hole. So that’s why I said his stuff was good because I loved everything that he did. And I especially loved his holy trinity line.”
The overwhelming feeling from both Bully Ray and co-host Dave LaGreca was that the promos from Monday Night RAW were more than enough to convince people to purchase WrestleMania 36 this weekend. For the first time ever the event is being held over two nights, and will now be available to purchase on FITE TV.
Do you feel that Edge’s and Undertaker’s promos were enough to get you to watch WrestleMania this weekend? Let us know in the comments
WWE has added a stipulation to the upcoming match between AJ Styles and The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36.
During Monday’s episode of RAW, Styles cut a promo about how he has the perfect match for their upcoming contest and it was right in the wheelhouse of Taker.
He challenged the legendary pro wrestler to a Boneyard Match. Styles also poked fun at Taker recently appearing in a Save The Tigers video during his promo. For those who are wondering what this match is, WWE has yet to confirm the exact rules.
In related news, WWE has changed the SmackDown Women’s Title match at WrestleMania 36.
Last week on Friday Night SmackDown, Paige announced that Bayley would defend the SmackDown Women’s Title in a Six-Pack Challenge Elimination Match with Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans, Tamina Snuka, Naomi, and Sasha Banks.
WWE edited their WrestleMania 36 match listing on the official website that now shows it being a Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match. Brooke is the star who was removed from the listing.
As of this writing, there’s no word yet on why Brooke was removed from the match.
WWE presents the WrestleMania 36 pay-per-view event as a two-night event on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center. Both nights start at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT will air on the WWE Network.
After weeks of speculation, WWE has confirmed The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles for its biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 36.
WWE confirmed the match on Monday’s episode of RAW on the USA Network when the two stars signed a contract for the contest.
After Styles signed the contract in the backstage area, he sent Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows to the ring to give Taker the contract. Taker took them out before signing it.
Their first encounter came at the Super ShowDown show last month when Taker attacked Styles in the Tuwaiq Mountain Trophy Gauntlet Match by hitting a chokeslam then pinned him to not only win the match but to kick off his next feud under the WWE banner.
Fast forward, Taker also cost Styles his No DQ Match against Aleister Black when Taker made the save for Black.
WWE presents the WrestleMania 36 pay-per-view event on Sunday, April 5, 2020 in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center. Here’s the card:
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Drew McIntyre
WWE Universal Champion Goldberg vs. Roman Reigns
WWE NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair
John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
WWE RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler
AJ Styles joined FS1’s WWE Backstage this week. During his appearance, he was asked about his upcoming matchup against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36.
This past Monday night on RAW, Styles delivered a promo that referenced ‘Taker by his real name and suggested he was past his prime. Despite his promos disrespect, Styles confessed he is excited to grapple ‘The Deadman.’
“Come on, I don’t think I said anything that one of our fans wouldn’t have said themselves,” he argued. “Let’s talk about the retirement, putting his fist up, what a beautiful moment that was, and he came back!”
He continued, “Listen, he’s The Undertaker right, so much respect for this guy and everything he’s done for our business. Hopefully we get in the ring together, I’m excited about it.”
AJ Styles’ Bucket List Match
AJ Styles referred to this matchup as a “bucket list” item for anyone in the pro wrestling business. “I mean really, it’s The Undertaker guys. It’s huge, I want to be able to learn from this man. How much can I learn from this man?”
He continued, “I have studied him for years, the matches with Shawn [Michaels] are unbelievable. I want to know what he knows and the only way to get it is to get in the ring with him.”
Styles stressed that he’s not done yet and that he’s keen to keep learning. He admitted that getting older means Superstars can’t do things they used to. Instead, they have to learn and adapt in order to keep performing and moments that “have the most impact.”
AJ Styles and The Undertaker face off at WrestleMania 36. The event takes place on April 5 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
