10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Aug 17)

5. AJ Styles Still Has A "Runt" Mentality

By all rights, AJ Styles should be able to tell people with a straight face that he's one of the best pro wrestlers on the planet today. Pardon the pun, but that's not his style.

In an interview with Dirtfork, AJ told of an inability to shake his usual mindset. To him, it's important to know that he's not the biggest physically, and he uses that lack of stature to stay motivated in such a traditionally size-obsessed company. That all stems from AJ's upbringing.

Back then, by his own admission, he was the "runt" of the family. That mentality has stuck with him even when winning WWE Titles, working WrestleMania and headlining Madison Square Garden. There's a sizeable chip on his shoulder, one that keeps any ego in check, makes Styles work harder than most and reminds him of his background.

His longtime fans will be interested to learn that AJ doesn't see himself as someone WWE depend on. Nah, he's the kind of wrestler more willing to work his tail off to keep the wolves from the door and prove himself nightly.

What a guy.