With AJ Styles joining the WWE roster at the beginning of the year, it has created a wide variety of first-time matchups for him. One match that has yet to happen is a contest between Styles and Orton, and the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion recently commented that that is at the top of his list.
During an interview with ESPN to promote the new WWE 2K17 video game, Styles was asked if he had a "must-face guy" or dream opponent.
"I always say when it comes to dream matches that is not up to me, that's up to the WWE Universe. That's up to the fans," Styles said in response. "But there is a guy on Smackdown that I have yet to wrestle yet that's certainly gonna happen at some point, and that's Randy Orton."
Styles, who is 39 years old, made his WWE debut in January at the Royal Rumble after signing with the company at the first of the year following stints with TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling. He won the WWE World Heavyweight Title at Backlash, becoming the first wrestler ever to win the WWE, NWA and TNA world titles, as well as the IWGP Heavyweight Title--the top championship in NJPW.
"It's huge. That's what you work for, is to be recognized," said Styles. "It's nice to know that the hard work that you've put in all these years is finally getting the, I don't want to say praise, but you know. I busted my tail for so long, I'm just glad it's getting recognized now as part of the WWE. Because let's face it, the WWE is the biggest company out there when it comes to wrestling. I'm just happy that I'm being recognized as somebody who works hard, I guess."
Styles is scheduled to defend his WWE Title next Tuesday against James Ellsworth on Smackdown Live.