WWE News: Backstage News On Vince McMahon’s Reaction To AJ Styles, Why He Turned Heel, And Possible Role For The Club At ‘Money In The Bank’
In one of AJ Styles’s first sit-down interviews with Michael Cole for the WWE website, Styles revealed that he was unsure whether the Royal Rumble crowd would even know who he was. Well, they knew, and every WWE audience since then has known. AJ’s work around the world earned him a reputation as one of the best performers in the industry, and now, it was finally on display for the mainstream fans to witness.
What was clear was that AJ Styles’ skills easily transitioned to the WWE, and that he would always put on solid, if not great, matches. What was unclear for the first few months of his tenure was how he was being received backstage, most specifically, by Vince McMahon. Styles was not a McMahon creation, rather the AJ Styles brand was built on the backs of canvas and rope from independent circuits, TNA, and Japan. Those not formed and molded by Vince’s grip have not always fulfilled potential, and many fans worried that Styles would fall victim to that notion as well. His stardom was developed elsewhere, and only full-fledged WWE creations thrive here.
However, Daily Wrestling News is reporting that Vince is extremely high on AJ Styles, with backstage discussions revolving around the idea of putting championship gold around his waist before the end of the year. Vince was immensely impressed with Styles’ match with Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules, realizing that he had a mainstay in the main event picture less than six months into his WWE run. And as it turns out, it’s being said that Vince was impressed how hard AJ worked in all of those other promotions, enhancing his image before finally arriving in the big time.
Happy 39th Birthday to WWE Superstar "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. #WWE @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/U1K3zOFhq8
— WWE Today In History ? (@WWE__History) June 2, 2016
The decision to maintain one world champion, or create a second, has yet to be decided upon. To fit into the reports that Styles will become champ before the year runs out, the easiest way to accomplish that would be by bringing back a second top title. Rumors have circulated that Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins will headline the RAW brand, while John Cena and AJ Styles top the Smackdown roster.
If officials decide to keep just the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, they’ll have to get a little more creative if the plan is to make AJ Styles champ. According to the DWN report, there have been discussions about inserting Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson into the Money In The Bank main event between Reigns and Rollins. Another Reigns/Styles singles match wouldn’t make sense at the moment, but a multi-person bout would certainly open up more possibilities. Of course, the brand extension will have major implications on every feud they have planned, especially the main event scene.
Outside of the Goldberg revelation from this past week, AJ’s turn on John Cena was the only noteworthy segment from RAW on Monday. The Inquisitr had reported that a Styles heel-turn had been pitched back in April, and this new report indicates that discussions for executing it came back up a couple weeks ago. The main impetus behind turning one of the more popular stars on the roster was simply balance. The company lacked top heels and it’s the same reason they didn’t bring Seth Rollins back as a babyface as well, despite a groundswell to the contrary before Rollins’ return.
Casual fans who’ve supported the AJ Styles character thought his championship reign could have began at Extreme Rules, but the more in-tuned fan understood that Vince was, and is, still enamored with his Roman Reigns project. Thus, Styles never really stood a chance to walk out with the title. But Vince was paying attention that night, and may have some golden plans for The Phenomenal One down the line.
[Image via WWE]
