Why AJ Styles Is Glad He Didn’t Join WWE In 2002

AJ Styles recalled not joining the WWE back in 2002. AJ also reflected on why he is glad he didn’t join the promotion back then.

AJ Styles has had one of the most decorated careers in pro wrestling. After being one of the top stars in TNA for years, Styles had a brief run in NJPW before heading to the WWE in 2016. The Phenomenal One had an amazing run in the Stamford-based promotion, as he became a two-time World Champion throughout his tenure, which lasted for a decade.

At the Royal Rumble 2026 PLE, AJ Styles wrestled his last match against Gunther, where his career was on the line, and he lost. Styles also got inducted into the Hall of Fame this year after his retirement.

AJ Styles refused to join the WWE back in 2002

Speaking on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, AJ Styles recalled he was offered a deal by WWE’s developmental territory, HWA, after WCW went out of business, where he had a brief stint, but he did not take that deal despite many of his peers taking up the deal:

So after WCW goes out of business, I was given an opportunity to wrestle Shane Helms. We had a great match. I wrestled another guy. Then they had me go to a camp WWE did. Maybe it was HWA in Cincinnati, and a lot of us had a trial. It was that whole time, and they didn’t care. In fact, they told me, ‘I don’t need to see all this high flying. I don’t need to see all that.’ Now, I understand why. I know what they were trying to see. Anyway, I was offered that deal. I’ll have you know, some guys did take that deal. I did not.”

Styles further revealed that the offer was $500 a week and he couldn’t leave his wife, Wendy, at home. HWA was no longer a developmental for WWE for months, so his future would’ve been in trouble:

It was for $500 a week, which is barely able to afford anything. My wife Wendy was at home, I wasn’t leaving her. That’s not the way this works. But HWA closed down as a developmental area, I want to say, like 5 months after that. I guarantee you, I would have been shut out with them.”

AJ concluded, saying he is glad he made a good decision by not accepting the offer because TNA started in 2002, and he joined the new company:

But I’m so happy that things didn’t work out, that I actually made a good decision and didn’t take that contract, because then it was months later that TNA started up in 2002. It was June of 2002 when it started up. It was like two months after the trial as a fact. So it worked out exactly the way it should for me. I don’t think I would have went anywhere if I would have accepted that contract,” Styles revealed. [h/t Fightful]

Meanwhile, AJ Styles continues to be under a deal with WWE after his in-ring retirement.

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