AJ Styles says his recent comments about WWE buying a Japanese wrestling company were not about New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Styles said last week that he wanted WWE to purchase a Japanese promotion, similar to its 2025 acquisition of AAA, and the remarks drew criticism from some fans.
Speaking on his Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles said he never named New Japan and stressed his respect for Hiroshi Tanahashi.
“Did I ever say New Japan Pro Wrestling? I can’t remember. Just a Japanese company. That’s more what I was alluding to. People are like, ‘Oh, Tanahashi.’ There ain’t but one Tanahashi and the fact that Japan came out and supported him the way that it did says a lot about that country because he’s definitely one of my favorite guys in the wrestling business. Just a heart of gold. 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. I would never disrespect that guy. But, you know. People are gonna say what they say because they think they know everything about wrestling.”
Styles wrestled for NJPW earlier in his career, becoming a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and leading Bullet Club. He retired from in-ring competition in January of this year and has since moved into a talent scouting role for WWE.
Transcription credit: WrestlePurists
