| Backstage News On Why WWE Won't Sign AJ Styles |
By Daniel Pena
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It looks like there's some bad news for fans hopeful of seeing AJ Styles in a WWE ring.
Since parting ways with TNA Wrestling last year, inevitably, talk has turned to whether a WWE deal could potentially be in the 37-year-old's future. A new report, however, reveals why you shouldn't expect it, and it has nothing to do with his talent, age, physical state or past ties to TNA.
According to
Pro Wrestling Torch editor Wade Keller, he was told outright that WWE management won't consider signing Styles because of his Southern accent and being at a loss for how to turn that into a positive.
Shawn Hernandez knows Styles well from their time working together in TNA, and when Keller relayed the anecdote to him, he was dismayed.
“I'm speechless if that’s really the case," said Hernandez. "I mean, as soon as he puts the boots on, brother, hold on. The Impact fans have seen it. He’s wrestled everyone there. He’s upped everyone’s game to Samoa Joe to Kurt Angle. His TV matches, some of those weren’t given enough time and he could still have quality matches in six minutes."
Styles himself addressed the possibility of joining WWE last month during an interview with
SLAM! Wrestling.
"It sure doesn't seem like the right time to be going to WWE," Styles said, referring to the company's recent stock losses and major cuts. "I think the best place for me right now is New Japan. I'm happy with everything that's going on there right now."
In fact, Styles feels New Japan Pro Wrestling might be the last stop for him.
"At this point, I would be more than happy at some point in my career to just retire from New Japan. The respect that they have shown me … and I'm not talking about being the heavyweight champion … I'm talking about just overall treating me with respect and treating me like a star and trusting me to have great matches with guys I've never even been in the ring with. That means a lot to me. I hope that they see that 'this guy's going to help us out in the long run … he's a team player.' And I'd be more to, when my time comes to retire, to retire from New Japan Pro Wrestling."
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