Big E: We Never Saw A Diminished Version Of AJ Styles

Big E considers the idea that AJ Styles could be retiring at the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble.

At the WWE Royal Rumble, AJ Styles is set to take on Gunther in a singles match that if Styles loses, his WWE career will be over. While Styles has been discussing the idea of retirement, many fans do not want to see Styles go, and for Big E, Styles hasn’t slowed down despite nearing the end of his career.

While speaking on the RAW Recap podcast, Big E discussed the possibility of AJ Styles retiring at the upcoming event.

“I will say the one thing I respect, if this is it, we’re not seeing a diminished version of AJ Styles. We never saw a diminished version of it. I don’t even think he missed a beat a little bit. You know, there was some discussion with Cena and his run, whether he still had it at some point, still put on great matches. But you started to wonder if, you know, if he wasn’t quite the same Super Cena we were used to. I haven’t had that question once with AJ. I’ve seen someone who, you know, I’ve had a chance to talk to him about you know, about this being the last year in the locker room, and he’s someone who takes so much pride in his work. He is someone who refuses- he doesn’t ever want fans to see even a slightly diminished version of AJ Styles. The thing is, like, man, he could go into his 50s. I really think so. With the way he takes care of his body, he still has the same athleticism he had when I first was in the ring with him, what, a decade ago? His run is really, truly remarkable. To be at his age in his late 40s, and to still be so crisp, man. If this was indeed his last RAW, what a run, what an incredible run. I know we’re not here eulogizing him yet. I know he still has that opportunity to beat Gunther and keep competing in his career. But man, truly the best guy from a technical standpoint I’ve ever been in the ring with. The blend of explosiveness, of creativity, of technical, he just has it all, truly has it all. And a guy that really shaped the industry in such a beautiful way.”

Elsewhere in the same episode of the RAW Recap, Big E stated that ‘we were all robbed’ of a Finn Balor babyface turn. You can read more about that here.

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