CHENNAI: The upcoming
WWE Intercontinental title clash will see
AJ Styles taking on
Daniel Bryan
. Ahead of the much-awaited encounter, AJ Styles spoke to TOI on being part of this final, where he rates Bryan and more. Excerpts:
AJ, firstly, how do you view this week's Intercontinental Championship finals against Daniel Bryan on June 12?We have known each other well. He is a tough dude and very skillful. Intercontinental championship title is something I am eager to win.
You lost the WWE championships to Daniel last time. Where did you feel you lost the last game and how confident are you going into this matchup?Look, I have known Daniel for a long time and have taken on each other on numerous occasions. Losing the WWE championships was a long time ago but preparing for Daniel is not an easy task. How do you prepare for someone who you know is going to be just like you in the ring.
How do you feel the covid-19 pandemic has changed the way professional wrestling
is the near future?The whole thing just isn’t good for anyone and most of us are stuck in quarantine. But the good part is that we are getting to get past over this and the finish line and people are keen to get out of their houses and watch WWE from the stands. It is what it is and we are having some interactions with the fans and it’s going great.
Where do you place someone like Bryan among the list of opponents you have faced in life?There are a lot of great performers but there is something about Bryan which you enjoy. I would place in the list of the greatest of all time because he is that good.
You recently moved from RAW to Smackdown. What were the reasons for it and how do you view the whole thing?Smackdown is something I will go home and enjoy myself to. It was one of those things which allowed me to be in Smackdown and I am happy to be here.
AJ, CM Punk took a shot at you for not voicing support for the Black Lives Matter movement amid all the protests that’s going on. How do you react to that?I will not react at all coming from a guy like that I don’t any respect anyway. It doesn’t really matter. Look, my job as a performer is to perform and get the mind off all the things that have happened throughout the world. I am not going to react to people saying ridiculous and stupid things.
Amidst the gloom around the world, how keen are you to go out there and take on Bryan in the final?I can't wait to be performing in front of the fans. We need the fans and that’s all that we as performers want. Like I said, I can’t wait to be back in the ring.
At this point of your career, what is it that you aspire to do?After all that has happened in the last few months, I just want to have fun. I want to go to work with a smile on my face and enjoy every moment of it. All I want to do at this moment is go out at the ring and just entertain.
One can watch ‘WWE Backlash 2020’ live & exclusive on June 15 from 4.30 am (IST) on Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 3 channels.