AJ Styles isn’t backing down after fans accused him of disrespecting Japanese wrestling.
Following last week’s episode of The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles found himself facing criticism from fans who believed his comments about WWE expanding into Japan were directed at New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Hiroshi Tanahashi. On the July 19 edition of the podcast, Styles decided to address the reaction himself, insisting people had taken his comments in a direction he never intended.
Styles’ biggest issue was seeing fans immediately assume he was talking about New Japan when, according to him, he never mentioned the promotion at all. He said the discussion was about the possibility of WWE having a presence in Japan, not criticizing one specific company.
“Did I ever say New Japan Pro Wrestling?… Just a Japanese company. That’s more what I was alluding to. And people are like, ‘Oh, Tanahashi.’ There ain’t but one Tanahashi. And the fact that Japan came out and supported him the way that I did says a lot about that country because… definitely one of my favorite guys in the wrestling business. Just a heart of gold.”
That was only part of what bothered Styles. What really frustrated him was seeing people claim he had taken a shot at Hiroshi Tanahashi, someone he says means far more to him than most fans realize. Styles made it clear that Tanahashi isn’t just another wrestler he respects—he considers him a genuine friend and someone he would never intentionally disrespect.
“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. So I would never disrespect that guy.”
Once Styles defended Tanahashi, he explained why he made the original comments in the first place. According to Styles, he wasn’t repeating internet rumors or reacting to social media speculation. He said he’d heard concerns about New Japan’s current business situation from people he trusts, which was why he felt comfortable bringing it up during last week’s conversation.
As his co-host mentioned reports about internal issues within New Japan and the possibility that this year’s Forbidden Door could be the final crossover event with AEW and Stardom, Styles said that lined up with what he’d already been hearing behind the scenes.
“This is also what I’ve heard through other people, not on the internet. That’s why I even said what I said because I heard it from, you know, firsthand information. But whatever. Internet knows everything. I’ll just keep it at that.”
Styles never expanded on the information he says he received, but he clearly wasn’t interested in debating it any further. Instead, his focus was on correcting what he believes was a false narrative that he had somehow taken aim at New Japan or one of its biggest legends.
For Styles, the conversation was never about tearing down Hiroshi Tanahashi or diminishing what New Japan has accomplished. It was about discussing the future of wrestling in Japan—and making sure fans understood that those are two very different conversations.
Do you think AJ Styles’ comments were taken out of context, or can you understand why they sparked such a strong reaction? Let us know in the comments below.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
