As he prepares to meet Edge in a huge clash at WrestleMania 38, AJ Styles has admitted that time is running out on his time in the ring.
Although many still regard AJ Styles as one of the very best in-ring performers in the world today, the 24-year veteran admits his top level wrestling days are numbered.
Speaking in a new interview with talkSPORT’s Alex McCarthy, Styles revealed that it’s becoming harder to put on the great matches that fans have come to expect.
“So, I mean, but time is running out. As far as AJ Styles is concerned, I am getting older, right. You know, the ability to put on great matches is getting a little bit harder. So, I don’t want to embarrass myself at the same time, I want to get out while I can and still have somewhat of a legacy.”
With one eye on the future, Styles added that he would like to remain with WWE when he hangs up his boots, and help scout future Superstars.
“I don’t want to have to work anywhere else. I’d love to work within WWE, but I don’t know that’s going to happen, if I’ll have the chance. But I would like to be a scout because I think… I know we’ve changed some things around here in the WWE, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to find these… I don’t want to call them actors and stunt men, but like, you’ve got to find these athletes, that want to do this their whole life, you know? And not saying that, you know, football or basketball, you know, the athletes from there can’t be great.
We’ve seen it with Kurt Angle, you know, so we know that guys coming in, like from a sport, an Olympic sport or whatnot, wherever it may be, can be great.”
Styles explained that the big thing for prospective Superstars to learn is that you need to check your ego at the door, because the story is what’s going to sell tickets and pay-per-views.
“But for someone who’s want to do this their whole life. They know what’s expected of them. They know what they can do to chase that dream. And I don’t know. It’s just it’s a little bit different. And I think it’d be a little bit harder for someone whose never watched wrestling before in their life to come to this stage and put on… you know, when your egos not involved.
And trust me, I had a little bit of an ego because I did wrestling in high school and college. But when you learn to go, ‘Wait, wait, wait. What’s the story?’ You know, that’s the most important thing. And you got to let go of these egos. Egos don’t matter. They don’t they’re not going to sell Pay-Per-View’s, egos.
What we need people is to sell the story. And sometimes people who want to do this a whole lot know that better than anybody”
On night two of WrestleMania 38, AJ Styles will meet Edge in what is something of a dream match. During the interview, Styles also confirmed that the Rated R Superstar was his first choice for his opponent at this year’s spectacular.
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