WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles has clarified that he has not officially become a coach at the WWE Performance Center, explaining that he is only filling in while another coach recovers from knee surgery.
AJ Styles recently told listeners of The AJ Styles Show that he would be taking over coaching duties, leading to widespread speculation that he had accepted a permanent role. However, on the latest episode of the podcast, he explained that the arrangement is only temporary.
“One of our coaches had to get knee surgery. I have now taken his place until he’s back. I am not a coach per se that’s down here every week. I am just filling in until he’s back. That’s it.”
Styles noted that he first mentioned the temporary role several months ago, saying he was helping out a friend while the coach recovered from knee surgery. Although the role is not permanent, Styles admitted he has enjoyed working with WWE’s next generation of talent and has introduced some of his own ideas to training sessions.
“I’m actually having a lot of fun with it, and I’m trying to make everything that we do very, very practical.”
The former WWE Champion explained that he wants wrestlers to understand why they are learning certain techniques and has been changing aspects of the sessions to keep them fresh.
“I’m changing stuff up a little bit because the more you do the same thing over and over, the less you want to come to class and work hard. It gets redundant.”
Styles did not reveal which Performance Center coach he is replacing.
AJ Styles Has Remained A Key Figure Backstage Since Retiring From WWE
Since retiring from in-ring competition at the Royal Rumble in January, AJ Styles has remained active behind the scenes in WWE. Alongside his temporary coaching duties, he has worked as a WWE ID scout, produced matches on NXT, and continued mentoring younger talent.
