A WWE Hall of Famer shed light on the backstage environment in WWE following Vince McMahon’s tenure. He is none other than AJ Styles. In the recent episode of his Phenomenally Retro podcast, The Phenomenal highlighted the changes that took place after McMahon’s reign of power ended.
Styles said that he had the liberty to go to McMahon if he had a question, and the former WWE Chairman would often give him his own take on things. At the same time, the TNA legend also added that superstars were a bit more timid when McMahon was in charge. Styles concluded by saying that WWE stars could express their opinions freely today with the new regime without being yelled at.
I enjoyed the fact that if I had a question that needed to be answered and I needed it right then, I could go to Vince and he’d give me the answer. I can appreciate that. 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.’ Maybe they’ve been true, but things were different. I feel like guys walked around a little bit more timid when Vince was in charge, where now they can give their opinions and stuff like that more freely, ask questions without being yelled at.
Vince McMahon was the visionary who transformed WWE from a regional promotion into the global juggernaut it is today. However, the former WWE CEO had to step away from the Stamford-based company in 2024 after he was accused for s*x trafficking and s*xual misconduct by Janel Grant and the promotion itself severed ties with McMahon following that.
WWE legend AJ Styles has no complaints working for Vince McMahon
In the same episode, AJ Styles said that he had no complaints working for Vince McMahon. The Phenomenal One expressed gratitude to McMahon for giving him a chance to be ‘AJ Styles’ on a major worldwide platform.
It was neither good or 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.
As Vince McMahon continues to navigate life outside WWE for the last two years and sets up his next venture, ’14&I’, it will be interesting to see his next move in the business world.