AJ Styles Admits He Can No Longer Perform Spiral Tap Due to Neck Limitations

AJ Styles built his reputation on doing things inside the ring that most wrestlers wouldn’t even attempt, but one of his most famous moves is now officially off the table.

While speaking on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles was asked if he could still perform the Spiral Tap, the high-risk aerial move that became one of his trademarks during his early career. Instead of teasing a comeback for the move, Styles gave a blunt and honest answer. After being asked directly if the Spiral Tap was still possible, Styles didn’t hesitate to shut the door on the idea.

“Nope. Nope. Nope. I forgot about that. I didn't forget about it. I just lost it. It's when you're in the air, there's some muscle memory that has to take place. And that was one of those things. It's so different. I didn't just twirl myself. I jumped and tried to, you know, go into like a swan position so my legs would get straight and then I turned.”

Styles went on to explain that the issue isn’t his size or conditioning, but rather the physical toll wrestling has taken on his body—specifically his neck mobility.

“It's not my size, it's my body not being able to do the things that it used to do. Like my neck I can't… I can't do the… I don't know how to explain it but it's not like my neck is falling off or anything like that. It's not like I can't but I can't… I don't have as much motion in my neck. So… I can't do it. I can't.”

The Spiral Tap was one of the most memorable moves of Styles’ early career, especially during his rise to fame in TNA Wrestling. Seeing him acknowledge that the move is likely gone for good shows just how much wear and tear years inside the ring can bring—even for one of the most athletic performers in wrestling history.

As Styles continues reflecting on his career and the physical toll that comes with it, fans are left thinking about the moments that made him a standout in the first place—and how rare it was to see someone perform a move like the Spiral Tap in the first place.

Do you think AJ Styles should ever attempt the Spiral Tap one more time, or is it better to leave that move in the past? Let us know your thoughts and drop your feedback below.

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