AJ Styles Praises Shane McMahon’s WrestleMania Performance: “He’s a Perfectionist”
AJ Styles has fondly recalled his WrestleMania 33 match with Shane McMahon, highlighting McMahon’s exceptional work ethic and athleticism.
A Surprising WrestleMania Moment
After his highly anticipated debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles’ WrestleMania debut ended in a loss to Chris Jericho. However, he would later become WWE Champion that year. With John Cena defeating him at the 2017 Royal Rumble, Styles’ WrestleMania 33 opponent remained uncertain.
The announcement of his match against Shane McMahon drew criticism. McMahon, a part-time wrestler, was not renowned for his in-ring skills, particularly after a disappointing match against The Undertaker the previous year.
Exceeding Expectations
Despite low expectations, Styles and McMahon delivered an impressive match, with Styles leading technically and McMahon showcasing high-risk moves. The result was a well-received opener that exceeded fan expectations.
Styles’ Praise for McMahon
In an interview with Kenny McIntosh of Inside The Ropes, Styles expressed his respect for McMahon’s work ethic:
“Shane is a perfectionist… We went over that and did what we needed to do to make sure that it was as good as it possibly could be.”
Styles emphasized that McMahon’s athleticism contributed to their successful match:
“Shane is an athlete too, there is no doubt about that. We had a great match, it was fun…”
Adapting to His Opponent
When asked if he approached the match differently due to McMahon’s experience, Styles responded that he maintains a consistent approach:
“I’m going to try and have the best match that I can with what I have… Shane being the perfectionist that he was, he made it a lot easier than it should have been.”
AJ Styles will face LA Knight at WrestleMania 40. Before their match, a brawl broke out following this interview.