5 Takeaways from WWE Backstage (March 10th, 2020)

#4 AJ Styles truly is Phenomenal

They don't want none.

Most wrestlers consider facing the Phenom as a dream match. Styles wanted to knock facing him off of his bucket list, saying that " it has to be a bucket list for anyone in our industry." He added that in a match with the Legend "I want to be able to learn from this man."

Styles also revealed that he's "studied him for years" and that he's "watched his matches with Shawn (Michaels)." His main takeaway was that he's "not done yet" and that he wants "to learn as much" as he can because "you learn how and when to do certain things that have the most impact."

The 2016 Royal Rumble marked the WWE debut of Styles. The former Champ revealed that he "was terrified" before walking out and that he "saw Road Dogg (backstage) and didn't want to let him go." He added that he knew he was in the match only days before it and that "it was huge for me and it was intimidating."

He summed the experience up by saying that he was "a 38 year-old man coming to the WWE for the first time" and that "they (WWE) offered me the deal and I was ready to come home." The journey happened quickly as he "literally flew home from Japan and didn't get home but went right to get my medical done two weeks before the Rumble."

Renee Young asked about what advice he would give to younger stars. Styles mentioned that he didn't think they were green because they have earned their way here. He offered up that they should "keep working, keep learning and you'll get where you need to be." Styles also felt that they should "think about the positives in your life" when they got down on their situation.

He also felt that regarding the future, "Ricochet is unbelievable" and that Cedric Alexander and Shayna Baszler also have bright paths. Styles finished by saying that "there are opportunities for these athletes and the opportunities will come. It's okay, we're gonna get there. Just because you're on the downturn doesn't mean your turn won't come again."