"WWE is a backstabbing environment -- Would never work for them"

[Ambiguous Turd]

Personally, I agree with Styles and that is the main reason why competition needs to emerge.

-- In an interview with the UK Sun newspaper, TNA star AJ Styles has blasted rival promotion World Wrestling Entertainment, saying he would never work for them.

"All the horror stories I've heard about WWE, there is no reason why I'd want to go.

"I'm going to tell you what I know as the main difference between the two companies.

"Desmond and I are going to work together to make this company the best, for everybody.

"Whereas in the other company they will stab each other in the back to get themselves to the next level.

"It's not about me. It's about us in TNA."

While in WWE you have to be looking over your shoulder at all times for who is going to hold you down and stab you in the back, TNA's locker room doesn't seem nearly as traumatic and backstabbing as WWE's locker room based on all the stories that have come out over the years about the top guys in WWE and the WWE brass holding down talent.

There is a term that goes around in the business- that being the word "stooge". And even a ton of the Non Workers in the company have been named stooges because even they try to stab other non-workers in the back whenever anyone does anything the slightest bit questionable.

It is a very backstabbing environment, as even the Non Workers try to look out for their spots and prove their worth to the company by stabbing other WWE employees in the back.

This is not a very healthy backstage environment to have, and I don't blame Styles one bit, and actually applaud him for taking this stand, despite WWE being the bigger company.

This Old School 80's mentality of people fighting each other and trying to pretend to be each other's friend only to find ways to snoop on them and report people to management is absolute babyshit, unnecessary drama that doesn't earn my respect in the slightest. So yes, the more professional a backstage locker-room is, and the more HR-oriented it is, the better, as far as I'm concerned.

Feel free to agree or disagree with Style's comments. Is he smart for sticking to his principles or is he an idiot for not playing politics and holding himself back from joining the larger company because of this?

Also, what are your opinions on all the reported backstabbing over the years? Good for weeding out bad grass or too unnecessary and unprofessional (poor for morale)?

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Well, we all know that there has been some backstabbing in WWE's history and I'm sure that it does still go on today to one degree or another. However, to be fair, I wouldn't be surprised if many of those that've told AJ these stories are disgruntled former WWE employees that probably didn't mind the backstabbing all that much as long as they were collecting a large paycheck.

I like Styles, he's one of the best in-ring workers in the world today and I don't think anybody can legitimately argue against that. However, if TNA ever does get to the same level as the WWE in terms of television ratings, ppv buys and just all around money, I think he'd be very naive to think that such things won't be happening in TNA. From what you hear backstage in TNA nowadays, much of the locker room isn't all that thrilled with some of the new ideas that Hogan and Bischoff have implemented, some are very concerned for their jobs as they're signed on a per appearance basis rather than contracts and Styles himself has had several blow ups with Vince Russo over the direction of his character since he became TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

It'd be nice if everyone got along backstage of course. However, like most things in life, it's just not that black and white. Different people sometimes do have different goals and, sometimes, it's hard to fault them. After all, I'm not backstage in the hustle and bustle. I don't know all the details behind what goes on and what doesn't.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

You know, I have a strong feeling AJ said this simply because he knows if he ever were to go to WWE, he would never be as big as he is in TNA. I wonder, if TNA does some how start to blow by the WWE in popularity or in ratings, will AJ have this same sentiment? What I'm trying to say is, if TNA does become the #1 wrestling company in the world, competiton for the #1 spot will become A LOT more fierce. Also, say if that does happen, and a big name from WWE decides to jump ship. You don't think Styles is going to get nervous about losing his spot?Things change all the time. So, I will agree with AJ's comments because I've also heard of the backstabbing stories on the internet through reports and shoot interviews for a while now, and because TNA is the best situation for his career.

The backstage politicing and backstabbing is bad, but you have to face facts, this has been happening for a LONG time, and will continue to happen in the wrestling business for a very long time. I think it's more vicious in WWE because it's the #1 wrestling company in the world.

Has WWE been stale for a while?Yes
Do we constantly see the same people main event?Yes
Was Raw, WWE's flagship show really bad at times in 2009?Yes

But despite all of that, WWE remains top dog in the world of professional wrestling. I think the mentality of a lot of wrestlers in the WWE is, they will do what they have to do to move up in the company, and if that means politicking,backstabbing,and kissing ass, then that is what they will do to be considered a major player in the #1 wrestling company in the world.

 

[psykohurricane]

First thing i've got to say is that i respect A.J. Styles as an wrestler. He's one of the best if not the best wrestler in the world today and i hope that his career keeps going for a long time. Having say that, this comment show me that A.J. got alot of learning to do about the wrestling business. A.J. been in the wrestling business for more or less 10 years and oustside of his 3 month sting with WCW, were as he really been. Nowhere, he been in ROH and TNA and all the other independant wrestling company. He never got to see what the wrestling business is all about. If TNA were to fold tomorrow, where do you think most of the roster including A.J. would try to found work? The WWE. Don'T forget that Desmond Wolfe's first choice was the WWE and the only reason he'S with TNA right now is because WWE turn him down.

A.J need to stop listening to every former WWE mid-carder that aren'T happy because there wasn'T a spot for them and need to form his own opinion on THE WWE. Sure it fun the believe was writing on the internet or what a former employee told you about the WWE but unless you actually experience it, you cannot form an opinion even if your just saying that because TNA told you to.

 

[MisterRob]

I find it absolutely hilarious that AJ Styles has made these remarks when Hogan, Kevin Nash and Ric Flair of all people are in TNA. There isn't any bigger backstabbers in the history of the wrestling business then those names. Hypocrisy at it's best.

 

[The_Hooded_One]

I find it absolutely hilarious that AJ Styles has made these remarks when Hogan, Kevin Nash and Ric Flair of all people are in TNA. There isn't any bigger backstabbers in the history of the wrestling business then those names. Hypocrisy at it's best.

The point is that TNA has had a great atmosphere backstage and not filled with the bullshit of the politics on the level WCW was and now WWE is. I think AJ just wants to be optimistic and so far he has every reason to be, he's The World Champ and being tutored by Ric Flair so that's not a bad deal. Ya know the most amazing thing about this is how so many ex WCW Stars left for WWE in 99-2000 to get away from the politicians and get a fresh start and now WWE has become what WCW was behind the scenes, kind of ironic, but not quite as bad as WCW was no way.

 

[psykohurricane]

The point is that TNA has had a great atmosphere backstage and not filled with the bullshit of the politics on the level WCW was and now WWE is. I think AJ just wants to be optimistic and so far he has every reason to be, he's The World Champ and being tutored by Ric Flair so that's not a bad deal. Ya know the most amazing thing about this is how so many ex WCW Stars left for WWE in 99-2000 to get away from the politicians and get a fresh start and now WWE has become what WCW was behind the scenes, kind of ironic, but not quite as bad as WCW was no way.

But the thing is, TNA isn't even on the same level as WWE or WCW when they were there best 15 years ago. And if you look at who was the guys that backstabbing and playing politics in WCW, TNA got pretty much all of them right now. In a way i understand why he said it because he's still employed by TNA and he's not going to say something like ''Sure, if the WWE called me and offer me a contract i would take it''. That would be stupid coming from the TNA world heavyweight Champion. If TNA ever become has big as the WWE, you will see a change in the TNA locker Room and don'T worry, the will be backstabbing and the will be people who play politics and probably A.J will be one of them, the fact that he said that prove how loyal he is to TNA but don't be surprised that if Vince would come knocking at his door if A.J. don't except his offer and jump ship like many other TNA stars did before him.

 

[MisterRob]

The point is that TNA has had a great atmosphere backstage and not filled with the bullshit of the politics on the level WCW was and now WWE is. I think AJ just wants to be optimistic and so far he has every reason to be, he's The World Champ and being tutored by Ric Flair so that's not a bad deal. Ya know the most amazing thing about this is how so many ex WCW Stars left for WWE in 99-2000 to get away from the politicians and get a fresh start and now WWE has become what WCW was behind the scenes, kind of ironic, but not quite as bad as WCW was no way.

Yeah, it's funny how there's no complaints or issues with the backstage atmosphere in WWE by anyone IN the WWE. It's a bit funny how the only people who've ever complained about the backstage atmosphere or tried to slander WWE for being anything like WCW use to be is those who no longer work for WWE because WWE got rid of them. Give me some examples of people who are claiming all these issues are in WWE behind the scenes, please. AJ Styles clearly isn't a valid opinion there because he's never been in WWE.

All this is is AJ Styles kissing ass and speaking well of the company that is employing him, nothing more. Of course he's not going to say anything bad about TNA or the company behind the scenes, even if there ARE issues there and problems. And clearly he's not going to say anything good about the competition, either. The top names that were problems in WCW and the reason it's gotten so much slander over the years by so many different people are the very same names that are now in TNA. It's as clear as that.

 

[lineo]

While it's nice that AJ Styles wants his company as a whole to succeed, I don't understand why he says it's not about him. For crying out loud, he's the current TNA champion! He's supposed to be the measuring stick in TNA.

Please give me a reason to care about YOU, AJ, or else you don't need to be a part of any new success TNA may have while trying to become mainstream.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I think Styles is very smart for sticking to his principles and staying in TNA to avoid backstabbing politics. He's not holding himself back from joining the larger company because he's a TNA guy and is likely never going to leave, having been there almost since the federation's beginning. However, I do have a lot of respect for him calling out the backstabbing like this. If something bad like that is going on, sometimes the fans need to know. The fact that people are backstabbing each other upsets me because people should earn their spots by being decent human beings and having the best skills at what they do, not because of what important people they are friends with. Backstabbing is very unprofessional and terrible for the overall morale of the organization no matter where it happens.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I think Styles is an unapologetic company man, he'd take a Fingerpoke Of Doom if he was asked and he wouldn't question it

. I see nothing wrong with a bit of backstabbing, although you've got to be good at it. Being caught out must be a big no-no. You should never be made to feel guilty about looking after number one, what do you owe the people you work with anyway? You're not friends with most of the people you work with so talk about them and put them down if it helps you..

 

[Alex]

Isn't backstabbing and politics always been in wrestling??? If someone higher up the food chain doesn't like for some reason, they will use their influence to make sure you suffer. Yes backstabbing happens alot in WWE but it also happens in TNA, forgive me if I'm wrong but wasn't Kurt Angle using his influence to get rid of Jeff Jarret for a while, and Dixie Carter went along with it???

 

[Yrrab]

I think Styles is very smart for sticking to his principles and staying in TNA to avoid backstabbing politics. He's not holding himself back from joining the larger company because he's a TNA guy and is likely never going to leave, having been there almost since the federation's beginning. However, I do have a lot of respect for him calling out the backstabbing like this. If something bad like that is going on, sometimes the fans need to know. The fact that people are backstabbing each other upsets me because people should earn their spots by being decent human beings and having the best skills at what they do, not because of what important people they are friends with. Backstabbing is very unprofessional and terrible for the overall morale of the organization no matter where it happens.

Totally agree, but unfortunately any fans who probably read up on AJ's interview know this kind of stuff happens.

Pretty cool of AJ to at least acknowledge that he's not 100% sure how it actually works over in the E though. He clearly states first that based on what he's heard he wouldn't want to go there. You don't see a lot of that maturity in interviews nowadays, unless it's from a guy like Kane or something.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

He's an idiot purely because he answered the question. He should have just said:

'With everything that's been going on in TNA, i've just been so caught up in everything that i haven't even being paying attention to those guys. Would i go work for them? Never say never i guess, but right now, i'm totally focusing all my efforts on making TNA the best wrestling promotion in the world today, and bringing real wrestling back to the fans who want it"

Don't want to put up with backstabbing and politics? When you're company just hired Hulk 'Bury everyone but himself' Hogan and Eric 'Can someone put more paper in the fax machine, i've got to fire an amazing talent for no good reason' Bischoff? As well as having Ric 'Legend in the ring, cunt as a booker' Flair in the mix as well?

Plus who's giving him all this crap about the 'E' anyway? Scott Steiner, Booker T, Kevin Nash, the Dudleys, Rhyno, Foley etc etc. All guys who when they last parted ways with Vince, did so in a non-ammicable fashion, so why are they going to praise the 'E'?

Surely the fact that guys like Christian, R-Truth, Gail Kim and Jeff Hardy all went back to WWE after becoming so succesful in TNA, would suggest that maybe, the 'E' isn't as bad as it seems? Plus we've had guys who were treated like absolute crap before being released, post stuff on the internet saying how much they loved working for the company and understood why they were released. Plus wouldn't he have thought about guys like Jericho who left WCW because of the politics, who are STILL with the 'E'? Big Show and Jericho have both been allowed to up and quit wrestling, and then return whenever they felt like it? Does that sound like a company that fucks it's employee's around?

Plus, as long as you follow Vince's guidelines (as stupid as they may be), then you'd have a long lasting career with the 'E'. How long has Regal been there now, despite being a former drug addict (Vince paid for his rehab by the way) and having jumped ship a couple of times? Even Hall and X-Pac (more politicking bastards) had their rehab paid for, as did Ron Simmons.

Dean Malenko, wasn't on the active roster that long, 8 years later he's STILL working for the 'E'. Funaki is the best example. He's probably their longest serving jobber, and he's STILL there isn't he? (may be wrong on that one, but still he was there for fuckin' years doing next to nothing)

So, in summary, i agree with everyone that said AJ doesn't know, so therefore he can't comment, and i agree with everyone who says that TNA's backstage situation is about to get worse. Fair play to sticking to his guns, but bad decision to be so honest about it. If TNA went under, guys like Daniels and Abyss who don't slag off the competition all the time, would probably get picked up in a heartbeat. Guys like Joe and AJ, who've had nothing but tryouts for the big leagues and then went and ran their mouths like they were 20 yr vets, are going to struggle to remain on mainstream TV.

 

[Tastycles]

AJ Styles is probably making the right decision, especially as TNA is in part the house that he built, but he is looking at it with rose tinted spectacles if he thinks the same thing won't happen there if the money starts crossing the line. We've already seen a lot of politicking since Hulk arrived with 8 people from the Hulkamania Tour joining the company in the wake of his arrival and Bubba the Love Sponge appearing and costing the company an asset in Awesome Kong. In an industry built entirely upon reputation backstabbing is unavoidable, and if AJ Styles can't see the day when it'll come to TNA, then the man is a little too enamoured with the TNA way, I'm afraid.