AJ Styles, renowned for his global exploits in professional wrestling, finally joined WWE in early 2016.
Despite his stellar reputation, Styles revealed a surprising detail about his WWE journey, indicating that Vince McMahon, the former CEO, was initially unaware of him.
The Phenomenal One’s WWE saga began with tryout matches in the early 2000s, where he faced setbacks in securing a contract. Despite his talent, he declined a developmental deal due to personal reasons, opting instead to carve out a successful career elsewhere.
After making waves in TNA, NJPW, ROH, and various international circuits, Styles debuted as a top-tier star in WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble, marking a significant milestone in his career.
During a recent Fanatics Live stream with UpUpDownDown, Styles opened up about his WWE signing, making a bold revelation about his encounter with Vince McMahon.
“The redacted name did not know me. He had no clue who I was,”
Styles candidly remarked, referencing McMahon, as reported by Jeremy Lambert.
Looking ahead, Styles eyes a triumphant moment at WrestleMania 40, aiming to make up for last year’s absence due to injury. While his match against LA Knight is confirmed, its placement on Night One or Night Two remains uncertain.
In a reflection on Styles’ WWE debut, Kurt Angle shed light on McMahon’s reaction to the emergence of The Phenomenal One.
McMahon, witnessing the overwhelming fan reception, acknowledged Styles’ instant star power despite being unfamiliar with his prior work.
“The gauge was when he came out at the Royal Rumble, and the fans were so excited it was AJ Styles… Vince saw the reactions and went, ‘Wow, this guy is a star already,'”
Angle recalled.
Moreover, McMahon expressed regret to Styles, lamenting not signing him a decade earlier when the opportunity arose.
As Styles prepares for another WrestleMania moment, his journey from initial obscurity to WWE stardom remains a testament to his perseverance and talent.
