AJ Styles Legitimately Wanted To Hurt Ex-WWE Star

AJ Styles had legitimate issues with BIlly Kidman during the early stages of his career.

‘The Phenomenal One’ spent a number of months in World Championship Wrestling during its dying days and recently revealed a surprise behind the scenes feud with the three-time WCW Cruiserweight Champion, who know works as a backstage producer for WWE.

Speaking during a recent appearance on ‘Insight with Chris Van Vliet‘, Styles opened up about the issues between the two men back in 2001, explaining that his decision to use a move also performed by Kidman was at the heart of the conflict:

“So in WCW, I was doing the Shooting Star to the floor. Billy Kidman hated me. Hated. He would call me ‘AJ Steals.’ I wanted to hurt him so bad, legit, but he was Kidman at that time in WCW. He can’t be touched at all, right?

So they asked me if I wanted to do the Shooting Star. I was like, ‘No, no, I won’t do it because it’s Kidman’s move. I’ll just do something that he can’t.’

That’s how I came with the Spiral Tap. So yeah, all because Kidman hated me doing the Shooting Star Press, but at the time he wasn’t doing it. He did come back and started doing it. So kudos to him.”

AJ Styles Sent Message Of Support To Released Superstar

Despite the early beef with Billy Kidman, AJ Styles holds a reputation as a popular backstage figure and mentor to younger members of the locker room.

This was demonstrated once again recently when the former WWE Champion sent a message of support to Indi Hartwell following her release from the company in November 2024.

Hartwell recently revealed the contents of the inspirational note received by the legendary star, which encouraged the 28 year-old Australian to not give up on her career.

H/T: Fightful for the above transcription.