AJ Styles On Setting Main Roster Expectations At NXT

AJ Styles recently appeared on the Out of Character podcast with Ryan Satin to discuss a variety of topics including, working with NXT talent to help bridge the transition between NXT and the main roster.

Speaking on working with NXT 2.0 talent, Styles said:

“I felt it would be a good idea for guys like myself to go down to NXT and really say, ‘Hey, this is what we do on Raw and SmackDown. So when you come up, there’s no surprises, This is what we expect. These are the rules. By the way, they’re a little bit different from NXT, but this is what they are up here.

“I mean, we’re talking about guys who have dreamt about doing something, and when you say, ‘No, we don’t want you’, you’re crushing their dreams and their confidence. I don’t want that to happen. I know how bad that hurts.

“I was with WCW for a couple months and then got my dreams crushed. It was the best thing that ever happened to me because I wasn’t ready to be in WWE at the time. I don’t want to see that happen to anyone. If they’re not ready, then they will keep them down there. It’s up to them whether or not they progress. But again, I just don’t want to assume they will come up to the main roster, and then be sent home.”

With a long and well-respected career in professional wrestling, Styles is certainly a wealth of knowledge, not only on in-ring work but navigating backstage politics as well.

Styles is set to appear in the Elimination Chamber match at the Elimination Chamber event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on February 19, 2022 where he will challenge champion Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship against also Seth Rollins, Riddle and Austin Theory.

Transcription via WrestlingNews.co

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• AJ Styles
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