AJ Styles had been one of the top stars in professional wrestling for decades, but his in-ring career came to an end last month when Gunther defeated him in a career threatening match at the Royal Rumble.
Prior to his retirement match AJ Styles competed in his final match on Raw when he challenged CM Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Raw in Toronto. While discussing the match in a new vlog on WWE’s YouTube channel, AJ Styles talked about what it meant to him to step into the ring with The Second City Saint.
“Was it a privilege more than it was awesome? Absolutely. To get in there not only with Punk, but the heavyweight champion, I don’t think he understands how much it means to me. Because we had some rough times, him and I, and it really bothered me, because we were so close at one point. Then you get caught up in your bubbles, and stuff like that, miscommunication, it sucks.
“We are living proof of live and learn, forget, forgive, move on. Life is too short to be angry with each other over stupid things. Me and Punk don’t think a lot of the same things, but that doesn’t mean they separate us from being friends, and being appreciative of each other.”
We’re going to have differences. We’re not going to agree on everything, but we can agree to be civil. We both said things in the past that we wish we could take back. With that being said, I’m so thankful for that match tonight.”