AJ Styles recently responded to some backlash he’s faced over comments about Japanese wrestling.
During a recent episode of his Phenomenally Retro podcast, Styles floated the idea of potentially seeing WWE acquire a Japanese wrestling promotion. Folks were quick to criticize the idea, pointing to past WWE acquisitions of brands (specifically in the UK) and how poorly its gone.
During a new episode of the podcast, Styles clarified the comments. The WWE legend said that he never mentioned the country’s main brand, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but was simply just talking about any Japanese company.
“Did I ever say New Japan Pro Wrestling?… Just a Japanese company. That’s more what I was alluding to. And people are like, ‘Oh, Tanahashi.’ There ain’t but one Tanahashi,” said Styles (via SEScoops). “And the fact that Japan came out and supported him the way that I did says a lot about that country because… definitely one of my favorite guys in the wrestling business. Just a heart of gold.”
Styles went on to say that he meant no disrespect to NJPW’s Hiroshi Tanahashi. He said the man was a close friend, and further went on to note that he wasn’t just speaking speculatively, but instead had heard from people within the industry WWE may be looking to expand into Japan.
“So just so you know, I’m not disrespecting my friend, by the way, Tanahashi. You don’t know him like I do. I promise you. So I would never disrespect that guy,” Styles said.
“This is also what I’ve heard through other people, not on the internet. That’s why I even said what I said because I heard it from, you know, firsthand information. But whatever. Internet knows everything. I’ll just keep it at that.”
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