17 Things We Learned From AJ Styles On Talk Is Jericho

6. Skipping NXT

AJ says he loves the business of wrestling and would be interested in transitioning into an agent or trainer role once his in-ring career is over, and that's something he couldn't do if he had stayed in Japan. Jericho inquires if there was ever any talk about him working in NXT before coming to the main roster and AJ says he never said anything about it but he was very relieved when he found out he didn't have to go that route. He doesn't know if things would have been different for him if that was what they would have wanted from him because at the time he was working for both New Japan and Ring of Honor and being paid by both companies making a good living. Jericho says that AJ, The Young Bucks and Alberto Del Rio were three acts who proved that you could make a very good living outside of WWE, which is rare. Styles said he wasn't sure what the future held for him and he was a little scared, but once again he bet on himself and it seems to be working out so far. Chris says as someone who's been around WWE as long as he has, he knows it's a big deal that AJ was allowed to skip NXT because everyone has to go through the system now. In addition to that the developmental promotion is doing good business of its own and they need all the names they can get. He says that AJ coming straight to main roster speaks to the confidence WWE has in what he brings to the table. Styles responds that he's not sure if that's what it is and adds that he's not above NXT at all, pointing out how many amazing talents there are down there who will probably be on their way up soon. He also thinks timing may have been an issue that worked in his favor because so many of the main roster stars are injured right now, but whatever happened he was going to make the best of it.