SmackDown Live superstar and current WWE Champion has been champion for over 300 days, carrying and defending the title more than other champions in recent memory. So it may shock you to hear that Styles himself is just as surprised about his stunning WWE success in his brief 2 1/2 years with the company.
“If you’d told me years ago that I’d be WWE champion two times, a United States champion and you’re going to have the belt at least half your career, I would have said that’s ridiculous. But, hard work has paid off. In the long run, if I was to lose this title tomorrow, I’ve had a great run and I’m very happy.”
When asked to pick a favorite match from his WWE tenure, Styles couldn’t nail down just one.
“That’s tough. I have so many memorable moments so far. There is the Royal Rumble, and John Cena. There is also Roman Reigns. Then when I won the championship from Dean Ambrose. There are so many matches that are hard to pick.”
His rivalry with Samoa Joe has been documented over numerous companies throughout their entire careers but Styles says this time is different.
“It’s been different in the way we’re doing it now than the way we’ve ever done it before. It’s gotten a lot more personal than any other time. You’re always going to get the hard-hitting Samoa Joe and the same A.J. Styles you have over the years. It’s always a recipe for a good match.”
And finally, when the Champ was asked which superstars keep him locked to the monitors backstage, Styles pointed out the “big guns”:
“There are those big guys like Samoa Joe, or a Brock Lesnar. Guys that will rip your head off. You then got the high flyers like Rey Mysterio. I like seeing what he’s doing. So there are quite a few.”
