AJ Styles Addresses WWE Crossover Match With Japanese Legend

Published: Jun 17, 2024 by SP3 | Last Updated: Jun 17, 2024 by SP3

Born in Harlem, New York and now living in the Bronx, Sid Pullar III aka SP3 is a lifelong wrestling fan who has been covering the industry for over nine years as a podcaster and writer. His passion for the industry has been documented with over 3,000 videos on YouTube and 8,000 written pieces across multiple outlets, such as WrestleTalk, Sports Illustrated and more.

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AJ Styles Addresses WWE Crossover Match With Japanese Legend

Following NOAH’s announcement, former two-time WWE Champion AJ Styles has addressed his WWE crossover match with Naomichi Marufuji.

At the June 16 NOAH Grand Ship show, the company announced that AJ Styles will face Japanese legend Naomichi Marufuji on Saturday, July 13 at NOAH Destination 2024.

This stunned many fans with a top WWE star making the trip to Japan for a huge crossover match.

Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, AJ Styles addressed the WWE crossover match with Marufuji. Reflecting on his time with NJPW as well as aligning with Bullet Club’s Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, Styles said:

“Looking back at my time in Japan, I was working with some of the best guys in the company in the ring,”

“And I was spending time with some of my best friends in life on a daily basis. I mean, come on, that was incredible.”

On the travel from the United States to Japan, Styles said:

“Jet lag is a real thing. That time, as soon as I landed, I felt it. A sponsor took us out, but I was so tired, I couldn’t keep my eyes open.”

“At first, it was rude, I’ll admit it. But the jet lag was real. So it became this running joke. I’d eat, then I’d go right to sleep at the dinner table.”

AJ Styles last wrestled in a loss to Cody Rhodes in an I Quit Match to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship at WWE Clash At The Castle.

The real reason why AJ Styles was chosen for the crossover match with Naomichi Marufuji in Pro Wrestling NOAH has been revealed, which you can read at this link.

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