WWE star AJ Styles has given fans more insight into his new backstage role now that he is no longer wrestling.
Styles brought his in-ring career to an end at the Royal Rumble following a loss to Gunther as The Phenomenal One put his career on the line at the Premium Live Event. Despite the fact that Styles will not wrestle again, he is remaining a part of the company.
Speaking on his Phenomenally Retro podcast, the former WWE Champion stated that he has been to multiple independent shows to potentially scout out the next WWE Superstar:
“I’ve been going to indie shows and checking those out, just seeing what everyone has to offer, and stuff like that. I’m scouring the internet for something that sticks out. If people see talent. ‘They are different. There is something about them.’ I like that kind of stuff. If you want to send me that stuff, fine, go ahead, I’d love to see. I’m trying to check out and see how much talent is out there. I know what it’s like to be on the indies and having a job. Traveling on the indies, sometimes it’s hard to get things that you need. If they are as desperate as I was to make it in the wrestling business, I’d love to see them before anybody else snags them up. Hopefully, I’m able to see talent before it’s developed. There is something about them, the drive, and meeting them.”
Styles also added what he wants to see from potential stars at the independent shows:
“I want to see myself in them. Not the same abilities or size, the same heart and passion that is going to go into this because we have no Plan B. ‘I’m going to put all my eggs into this basket and find a way to make it in this crazy wrestling business, and hopefully one day get to the top.’ The top may be TNA for you, and that’s okay. The top for me was TNA, I thought it was, until it wasn’t.”
AJ Styles Set To Receive Huge WWE Honour
After his retirement match, Styles made one more live appearance on Raw in his home state of Georgia. Following the acknowledgement of his career and accomplishments, Styles was surprised by The Undertaker, who announced that Styles would be one of the inductees in the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame class.
Styles will join Stephanie McMahon, Demolition, Dennis Rodman, Sid and Bad News Allen as part of this year’s class.
H/t to Fightful for the use of transcriptions.
Featured image: WWE
