Finn Balor expressed a heartfelt tribute to AJ Styles during Styles’ interview on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast earlier this week. The conversation took place shortly after Styles faced Gunther at the WWE Royal Rumble in a career-defining match, where Styles’ future in wrestling was at stake. Balor’s remarks highlighted the respect and admiration he holds for Styles amid the wrestler’s retirement.
Reflecting on AJ Styles’ Impact and Career
During the podcast, a number of Styles’ former rivals and colleagues shared their thoughts on his significant career. Balor acknowledged the inspiration he found in Styles, noting the parallels in their professional journeys. He conveyed gratitude, emphasizing Styles’ influence as a role model both in and out of the ring.
Balor stated,
“I feel so happy for him that he’s able to retire with his health. AJ, I just want to say congratulations on such an incredible career. From a personal standpoint, I want to say thank you because you’ve always been such a constant source of inspiration for me. I know we’ve had very similar career paths, but I hope you know that I’ve always, always looked up to you.”
For me, you are the benchmark for what it is to be a professional both inside and outside of the ring. I’m very grateful that I got the opportunity to share the last 10 years with you here in this company. I know we kind of dodged each other a lot on the indies. You were in TNA, I was in Japan. When you came to Japan, I went to NXT, so we missed each other for a long time. But I feel like getting to know you over the last 10 years, both on a personal level and in the ring, and just witnessing how great and phenomenal you really are, I want to say thank you for being AJ Styles.
Finn Balor, WWE Superstar
Shared History and Rivalry Between Balor and Styles
Finn Balor’s path intersected with AJ Styles’ multiple times during their wrestling careers, despite frequent misses early on. Balor left New Japan Pro Wrestling in May 2014 to sign with WWE and join NXT, while Styles was engaged in major accomplishments overseas, including winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship as leader of Bullet Club in June 2014. Their WWE encounters included five singles matches, with Styles edging Balor 3–2 in their rivalry.
The Enduring Significance of AJ Styles’ Career
AJ Styles’ retirement marks the conclusion of a remarkable career shaped by high-impact matches and a dedication to professionalism. Tributes like Balor’s underscore the respect Styles earned from peers and fans alike. As the wrestling community reflects on his legacy, Styles’ influence will continue to resonate in WWE and beyond.
The respectful and sincere tribute from Finn Balor serves not only as a farewell but also as a lasting acknowledgement of Styles’ mark on professional wrestling history.
