When AJ Styles appeared for the first time at WWE in 2016, a match with Shane McMahon, who only returned to promotion after the beginnings of Styles, did not seem to be in the cards. And yet, the two collided a year later at Wrestlemania 33, with beating McMahon styles in an acclaimed competition.
Talk about the match on “Insight with Chris Van Vliet,” Styles noted how he had taken pride in his reputation, especially because people were not raised on the match that led there.
“No one thought I and Shane McMahon went to have a good match,” said Styles. “And I thought we had done a very good job to make this very entertaining. It had a few moments that are really cool. I had the opportunity to work Shane McMahon, a great guy. I love him.
“No one is no longer dedicated to perfection than Shane McMahon. Ask the entrepreneur, he will tell you. And I respect the devil. And what he does, as, he always does the shooting press?
When Styles was asked what was his moment Wrestlemania, he quoted the McMahon match in his first game Mania with Chris Jericho and the Boneyard match with The Undertaker.
“I think it was maybe Shane McMahon’s match,” said Styles. “Because I work Shane McMahon. Who would have thought that J Styles would work Shane McMahon … In a match, I think it was the first Wrestlemania match, who was perfect. And to have a very good match and so much pleasure and to be able to know a guy … guy, it was really, really great (moment).”
If you use one of the quotes from this article, please credit “Insight with Chris Van Vliet” and provide an H / T to Wrestling Inc. for transcription