AJ Styles has revisited his storied career and WrestleMania history, but his choice for his best performance on WWE’s biggest stage may not be the one fans expect.
Speaking on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles reflected on the matches that defined his legacy.
While he mentioned several acclaimed bouts across different promotions, his final answer stood out — and not because it was the most obvious pick.
AJ Styles explains why Shane McMahon WrestleMania 33 match stands above the rest
Before naming his top WrestleMania performance, Styles looked back at some of his most celebrated matches outside WWE.
“Well, you know, me and Christopher Daniels and Joe at Unbreakable, that’s another match that people love,” he said. “And me and Chris, and me and Jerry Lynn, we all had great matches… it’s easy to pick out those matches.”
Styles also highlighted his WWE rivalry with Roman Reigns, noting it doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. “And then, you know, some of the great matches that I think… me and Roman Reigns had some great matches. I don’t know if a lot of people would expect that.”
However, when it came to WrestleMania, Styles didn’t hesitate. “Here’s another thing: the best WrestleMania match I had was against Shane McMahon. It was,” he said. “You’ve got Shane, who is a perfectionist; he wants it perfect… we just so happened to be able to place things where they should be… and it made it a perfect match.”
That WrestleMania 33 bout, once viewed with skepticism, ultimately delivered — much like a surprise roll-up that turns into a clean win. The former WWE Champion defeated Shane McMahon with the Phenomenal Forearm, capping off a rivalry that blended technical wrestling with high-risk moments.
Since his final in-ring appearance at the 2026 Royal Rumble against Gunther, Styles has transitioned into a behind-the-scenes role in WWE, focusing on talent development.
Even so, when it comes to WrestleMania memories, Styles has made it clear — sometimes the perfect match isn’t the loudest one, but the one where everything clicks at the right moment.
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