AJ Styles Reveals What He Appreciated About Vince McMahon, Difference Between Vince & TKO Eras

AJ Styles worked under Vince McMahon for most of his WWE tenure, and he recently reflected on working under the former WWE Chairman. For the majority of Styles’ tenure in the company, McMahon was the man in charge. That is of course no longer the case, and WWE is part of TKO.

Styles answered a question on his Phenomenally Retro podcast about what it was like working for McMahon. He noted that he didn’t hang out with McMahon and thinks that things are less micromanaged now, though he noted he enjoyed his job and McMahon gave him the opportunity. You can see the highlights below:

On His Experiences Working With McMahon:

“I enjoyed the fact that if I had a question that needed to be answered and I needed it right then, that that could go to Vince, and he’d give me the answer. I mean, I can appreciate that. I — there was one time where I told him I was trying to read him, meaning how he felt about something. He said, ‘Don’t do that. You can’t read me.’ I said, ‘Alright. Okay.'”

On the Difference Between the McMahon Era and the TKO Era:

“I feel like guys walked around a little bit more timid when Vince was in charge. Where now so, they can give their opinions and stuff like that more freely and ask questions without being yelled at. Guys who are commentating aren’t being yelled at and said mean things to. I don’t know exactly what those mean things are, but I’ve heard stories. There’s things like that.”

“I don’t think it’s as micromanaged as it was. Which is a good thing. Why hire all these brilliant people to just micromanage it? That’s what they’re there for. And if they’re not doing their job, then you hire someone who can do that job. But Vince liked to be on top of every little thing. And it’s quite impossible because it’s such a large company. I mean, I can’t tell you how big it is, and you can’t fathom how big it is. It’s a different animal.”

On His Overall Opinion Of Working For McMahon:

“So, it was neither good nor bad working for Vince. I mean, he gave me a chance to be AJ Styles in WWE and a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, so what am I to complain about? We were not hanging out after work; I promise you that. So, he’s not the kind of person that I’d probably hang out with. But he was my boss, and he gave me an opportunity. I can appreciate that.”

On If He Ever Had Issues With McMahon:

“No, I liked working there. Again, it’s my job. I enjoyed my job, and Vince was a big part of that when I was there.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Phenomenally Retro with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.