AJ Styles helped produce WWE NXT main event this week
AJ Styles played a behind-the-scenes role in the Tony D’Angelo vs. Naraku street fight that headlined WWE NXT this week.
Since retiring as an active competitor, Styles has been wearing a few different hats in WWE, mostly helping out with scouting and the ID program. He has no interest in a creative role but revealed on his Phenomenally Retro podcast that he helped produce Tuesday’s NXT Championship bout.
“I was able to help with the producing of the Tony D/Naraku match, and I thought it went really, really well. Really well,” Styles said. “And I’m one of those people that are still heavily involved in watching the match. So, while I was on the headset, I did not do a good job of saying anything other than [loudly reacting to the match]. I let somebody else handle that part of the producing part. But, yeah, man, we got together and I think we did a good job.”
Styles praised both competitors, saying he really likes D’Angelo’s current character and thinks D’Angelo will be one of the next stars brought up to the main roster.
While Naraku (formerly known as EVIL in NJPW) as a person is quiet and respectful, Styles said he’s someone who is able to turn it on and become his character once he’s performing. Styles was really proud of what a great job he did here.
Tony D’Angelo retains, Mike Santana debuts —
D’Angelo retained over Naraku in the street fight, which immediately led to a potential new challenger emerging. Former TNA World Champion Mike Santana officially arrived in NXT and has signed with WWE following the expiration of his TNA contract.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.