Every wrestler in the world dreams of having a career similar to that of AJ Styles, who has become a reference within the backstage in every promotion he has worked for during his long career.
The former world champion has been much loved by fans not only because he has won numerous titles and participated in iconic matches, but also for his innate ability to create spectacular sequences and interact with crowds to make his challenges even more thrilling.
After playing in TNA for many years, 'The Phenomenal One' has decided to shine in WWE as well, becoming an icon there too and being unanimously considered as one of the best performers of the modern era.
Not everyone knows that the former WWE boss – Vince McMahon – was not a big fan of AJ when he started his run at the company.
Vince was a pioneer of this business and there is no doubt that WWE would never have become the behemoth it is today without his fundamental work, but he made some mistakes during his experience and failed to enhance the talent of some athletes.
The latest example is Cody Rhodes, who had left the company for the first time precisely because of his quarrels with McMahon before becoming an icon of this business.
'The American Nightmare' rose to fame through his performances on the independent circuit, before founding All Elite Wrestling alongside Tony Khan and the Young Bucks.
Cody returned to WWE thanks to the intermediation of Triple H and became the new symbolic face of the federation after WrestleMania XL.
AJ Styles talks about Vince McMahon
In a long interview with Chris Van Vliet, Styles recalled how skeptical Vince was about him: “A lot of people don’t know this, but he did not like AJ Styles.
I gave him plenty of reasons—I’m not the tallest guy, I have a Southern accent—there were a lot of things to hate about me.
He wanted to see more intensity—he wanted a pitbull.”