AJ Styles Reveals What WWE Is Looking For In New Talent (WWE News)
AJ Styles has been discussing his new role in WWE.
Having now moved into a scouting/training role for WWE following the end of his illustrious career, the legendary AJ Styles has given some insight into what WWE is looking for in prospective new signees.
Speaking on the latest edition of this Phenomenally Retro podcast (via WrestlePurists), the former two-time WWE Champion said:
"I’m going to indie shows and checking those out, just seeing what they have to offer and stuff like that. And I’m scouring the internet. If something sticks out, if people see talent that they like, ‘Wow, they’re different, there’s 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 it. So yeah, I’m just trying to check out and see how much talent is out there. I know what it’s like to be on the indies. Having a job and then traveling, sometimes it’s hard to get the things that you need. So if they’re as desperate as I am to make it in the wrestling business, I’d love to see them before anybody else snags them up, because that’s the way it is. And hopefully, I’m able to see talent before it’s developed. There’s something about them that this drive and meeting them that, hopefully, I want to see myself in them. Meaning, not the same abilities, that’s not what I’m talking about, the same size. Just the same heart and passion that’s gonna go into this because we have no plan B. This is it. ‘I’m gonna put all my eggs into this basket, and I’m gonna find a way to make it in this crazy wrestling business and hopefully one day get to the top.’”
Of course, AJ Styles called time on his career earlier this year, losing to Gunther at Royal Rumble in a match where the Phenomenal One would have to retire should he come up short. Since then, Styles has continued to work for WWE, taking on the role of helping to find and develop the talent of the future.
Away from WWE, AJ has recently launched the aforementioned Phenomenally Retro podcast, where he and Tony Giles talk about classic video games, with a smidge of pro wrestling thrown in for good measure.
With that retirement, AJ Styles called time on a career that began all the way back in 1998 and took in stints in a whole host of promotions, from WCW to TNA, to ROH, to NJPW, to WWE, and various other companies along the way.
Alongside Stephanie McMahon, Demolition, Sycho Sid, Bad News Brown, and Dennis Rodman, AJ Styles will take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania 42.