The Phenomenal One is officially moving into a new chapter of his legendary career. On the February 23 episode of Monday Night Raw, AJ Styles announced his retirement from in-ring competition in front of his hometown crowd in Atlanta. While he left his boots and gloves in the ring, he is not leaving the industry behind.
Styles will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame next month in Las Vegas alongside Stephanie McMahon and the legendary tag team Demolition. However, his most significant impact may come from his brand new backstage role. Speaking on the first episode of “The Phenomenally Retro Podcast,” Styles detailed exactly what his future with the company entails.
“I’m on the internet, and I’m checking out talent,” AJ Styles revealed. “Because it’s gonna be part of my job with WWE now is I’m looking for talent. And I’m looking to see what I can do, if I can do anything for them, if they can get better, little things like that.”
His responsibilities will span the entire professional wrestling landscape, from the independent scene to the Performance Center and the main roster. He wants to facilitate the transition for talented athletes who may be ready for the WWE ID program or a developmental contract. He is currently scheduled to visit Monday Night Raw in Seattle to work with the active roster.
“As of right now, it’s a little slow, but there’s phone calls that’s going to have to be made to make sure that my job is done,” he explained. “It’ll be NXT talent and maybe some main roster talent as well. Sometimes you need to talk to somebody to see how they’re feeling… I’m that guy. That’s what I’m there for. So the morale, if I can help make sure it’s still there in a good way. I want to be that guy.”
Styles also confirmed that his passion for the industry has extended to his personal life, as he is currently training his son to become a professional wrestler. This suggests that a second-generation Styles may be arriving at the Performance Center in the years ahead. His vast experience across the globe makes him an ideal mentor for those looking to reach the next level.
This new position is being viewed as a massive win for the future of the company. With Styles’ eye for talent and his ability to communicate the nuances of the “Phenomenal” style, the roster is expected to improve significantly. He will be on hand in Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42, likely observing the current stars and potential recruits as the company holds its annual tryouts in the Nevada desert.
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