AJ Styles Says Wrestlers Walked More Timid Under Vince McMahon, Now They Can Ask Questions Without Being Yelled At

AJ Styles comments on working under Vince McMahon.

Styles debuted in WWE during the 2016 Men’s Royal Rumble match. At that time, Vince McMahon held the creative reins in WWE and did so for the next few years.

Speaking on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles was asked about his experience working under Vince.

“I enjoyed the fact that if I had a question that needed to be answered and I needed it right then, I could go to Vince and he’d give me the answer. I can appreciate that. There was one time where I told him I was trying to read him, meaning how he felt about something. He said, ‘Don’t do that. You can’t read me.’ Maybe they’ve been true, but things were different. I feel like guys walked around a little bit more timid when Vince was in charge, where now they can give their opinions and stuff like that more freely, ask questions without being yelled at. Guys who are commentating aren’t being yelled at and said mean things to. I don’t know exactly what those mean things are, but I’ve heard stories. There’s things like that. 

I don’t think it’s as micromanaged as it was, which is a good thing. … Vince liked to be on top of every little thing and it’s quite impossible because it’s such a large company. I can’t tell you how big it is. You can’t fathom how big it is. It’s a different animal. So it was neither good or bad working for Vince. He gave me a chance to be AJ Styles in WWE and a two-time World Heavyweight Champion. So what am I to complain about? We were not hanging out after work. I promise you that. He’s not the kind of person that I’d probably hang out with. But he was my boss, and he gave me an opportunity. I can appreciate that.” 

Host Tony Giles asked him if he had any issues with Vince and if he liked working in WWE at that time.

“Yeah no, I liked working there. Again, it’s my job. I enjoyed my job, and Vince was a big part of that when I was there.”

Elsewhere in the podcast, Styles said wins and losses don’t mean much in wrestling. Fans can read his comments here

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