Source: RJTR Publishing
Recently, former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, TNA World Tag Team Champion, TNA X-Division Champion, and TNA Television Champion AJ Styles talked with “GiantKiller” over at the Alternative Wrestling Magazine. During the interview, Styles talked about working with Abyss, the potential breakout stars in TNA’s British Boot Camp, the difference in iMPACT Wrestling going live, and so much more. Click here to head over to the Alternative Wrestling Magazine to read the entire interview and scroll down to read highlights. Enjoy!
With TNA’s relationship with the UK stronger than ever, we are now awaiting the debut of our very own British Boot Camp. Have you had a chance to meet The Blossom Twins, Marty Scurll and/or Rockstar Spud and, if so, are there any stand outs in your eyes that would fit in in TNA?
I’ve met all of them. I’ve known Rockstar Spud longer than any of them. I think he’s an awesome talent and strong as a wrestler. Marty I don’t know as well but definitely a great wrestler. The Blossom Twins, they’re pretty awesome. I think they’re unique, I think they’re good wrestlers. So, to pick a standout among them is just too hard, they all have something to offer. If it was up to me, all of them would get hired.
Your cage match against Abyss at TNA Lockdown 2005 is highly-regarded amongst fans. Do you enjoy working against those of a similar size, or is it a great challenge and thrill working opposite bigger guys?
I think that Abyss is one of the best wrestlers, and especially one of the best big men in the wrestling business. To have a match like that with him was awesome. It was one of my favorite matches ever. It’s not a challenge to wrestle guys bigger, smaller. I like being able to wrestle any size and be able to get in there and mix it up with everybody. So, it’s not a challenge if you know what you’re doing.
We recently spoke to Eric Bischoff regarding TNA, and he feels the company has a tremendous buzz from being live. How do you think the talent are enjoying working live, does it change anything in terms of getting ready to perform?
Well, I can definitely speak for myself. Going live has changed things. It’s changed the atmosphere. It’s changed the fans. They’re live; they’re on TV. When the light comes on, they’re on there too, so they’re a little more excited, as we are. I think that’s a big step in the right direction and it is only going to get better.
You’ve mentioned in previous interviews that as much as you enjoy competing with Christopher Daniels you are getting sick of wrestling him and he is of you. With this in mind, do you feel then perhaps a sense of closure or even relief to be competing in what’s being billed as your last ever encounter?
Well, I’ve got to be honest with you, I don’t see how it could be our last encounter ever because at some point we are going to have to mix it up again. We’re going to have to. Not because we want to, because we have to. I don’t want to wrestle him anymore; he doesn’t want to wrestle me anymore. It’s basically based on the fact that we know each other so well it’s a challenge to make it different from anything else we’ve ever done. It’s a challenge; it’s a lot of pressure. So, to go at it one more time and put everything we have into it, I can do that.
After negotiations broke down with Hulk Hogan in 2005 you stated you were glad that Hogan was not in TNA. I was wondering whether your opinion of him had changed since he joined TNA and what impact you feel he’s had on the company?
I think it definitely has changed, even from the first day that we talked and whatnot. Communication is a whole lot better. Obviously I didn’t know him in 2005. I just knew of what he had done. But now, getting to know him a little bit better, communication is the key and it’s a lot better.
