AJ Styles isn’t sold on WWE: Unreal, and he has two major problems with the Netflix series. Styles says the show edited one of his backstage conversations with John Cena to change how the moment played out, and he believes wrestling outsiders haven’t earned the right to see everything that happens behind the curtain.
Speaking on his podcast, Styles discussed the series on The AJ Styles Show while recalling a conversation involving Cena using a 619 during one of their matches. According to Styles, Cena repeatedly asked him to cut him off during the move, but the series edited the exchange to make it seem like Styles agreed immediately.
“I told the story about John hitting the 619, and he was saying, ‘Cut me off.’ They cut it to where it looks like I said, ‘Okay.’”
Styles explained that Cena’s first request was filmed while Styles’ hair covered his face. The series then inserted his later response into that earlier part of the conversation. Styles said that wasn’t how the full exchange happened. Cena had to repeat himself multiple times before Styles finally agreed.
“The first time he asked me, they cut it. He said it, and my hair was in my face. You couldn’t see me, so they just spliced in ‘Okay’ right there.”
“That’s not what happened. He asked me three times, and on the third time I said, ‘Okay.’”
That editing choice was only part of Styles’ problem with WWE: Unreal. When asked whether the show hurts the wrestling business by exposing private conversations and match planning, Styles delivered an old-school answer. Styles argued that viewers have not made the physical sacrifices required to gain the kind of access the series hands them through a Netflix subscription.
“Here’s my take on it. Do I like it? I do not, because the outsider hasn’t earned the right to know what I know and be where I’ve been.”
“They don’t get the opportunity to get into the ring and hit the ropes as much as they would like to. They shouldn’t get that opportunity.”
He then pointed to the injuries and lasting damage he endured during his wrestling career. Styles believes that physical price is part of what separates wrestlers from people watching at home. Styles noted that countless other wrestlers have made the same sacrifices and said that, from his old-school perspective, viewers have not earned complete access to wrestling’s private information.
“I paid a price, and it’s something that I’m going to have to deal with for the rest of my life with these injuries that I’ve accumulated and the abuse that I put on my body.”
“A lot of other guys have done the same. In my old-school opinion, they don’t deserve it. They haven’t earned the right to know what goes on, what is said and all these things.”
Styles stressed that this was his personal opinion, but he also understands why WWE keeps producing the series. The company sees another product it can sell, and Styles doesn’t expect it to pass on that opportunity. He then tied the decision directly to WWE’s current ownership and its constant search for new revenue.
“It’s just my opinion. That’s all it is. But if there’s a way that they can make money off this, they’re going to. That’s kind of where we’re at in this business.”
“When it comes to WWE and who is owning WWE, it’s all about making money and finding ways to do that. That’s what this is.”
Styles understands why some viewers enjoy getting a look behind the curtain, but he clearly isn’t comfortable with how much WWE: Unreal gives away. The fact that his own Cena conversation was edited only gave him another reason to question how those private moments are being presented.
Does WWE: Unreal reveal too much about the wrestling business, or does the behind-the-scenes access make the product more interesting? Let us know where you stand and leave your feedback in the comments.
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