AJ Styles On Will Ospreay Using The Styles Clash: ‘When Someone Uses Your Move, It Means Something’

AJ Styles has addressed Will Ospreay’s use of the Styles Clash in AEW and says he wants their potential showdown to happen in WWE, not anywhere else.

Speaking on his Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles was asked about Ospreay performing the Styles Clash in AEW.

“First of all, I love Will. I’ve said nothing but good things about him. He’s been kind to me and has nothing but kind words for me. The Styles Clash thing — I respect it. When someone uses your move it means something, right? It means they see something in what you did. I’ve got no problem with it.”

On whether he and Ospreay will eventually get their match, Styles was definitive about where it should happen.

“If it happens, and I think it should, it needs to happen in WWE. That’s the right stage for it. I don’t know if Will stays where he is or comes here eventually, but whenever and wherever that conversation gets had, I want it to be here.”

He also spoke positively about Samoa Joe’s Hollywood departure from AEW.

“Joe does his thing. I’ve always respected Joe. He’s proven everything he needs to prove in wrestling. If Hollywood wants him, Joe goes to Hollywood. That’s a smart man.”

Styles retired from in-ring competition at the 2026 Royal Rumble and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during WrestleMania weekend. Ospreay is currently competing in AEW’s Owen Hart Cup tournament.