WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash recently addressed the future of star AJ Styles on his podcast, Kliq This, just before Styles’ eagerly anticipated Career Threatening Match against Intercontinental Champion Gunther. Nash responded to reports revealing that Styles has secured legal rights to both his ring name and the nickname The Phenomenal One, sparking speculation about what this could mean for Styles’ career trajectory.
Noting the timing of these trademark filings, Nash questioned whether Styles’ ownership of his name might signal a departure from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
I looked at the little tiny things like, AJ got his the rights to his name and his ‘Phenomenal One’… that came out like today,
Nash observed.
And I’m thinking, so does that… mean he’s going someplace else?
Understanding the Weight of the Career Threatening Match
The stipulation for Styles versus Gunther’s match involves the potential end of Styles’ professional wrestling career. Nash emphasized the seriousness of this condition, noting that unlike typical storyline retirements in wrestling, this particular scenario seems final.
If it’s your career, you can’t go back on it,
Nash stated.
So it’s… do you put them over? Gunther couldn’t do that now, right? You can do anything. It’s how you do it, I guess
.
Nash further elaborated on WWE’s narrative approach, suggesting that if Styles does leave, WWE will treat the exit as absolute, without acknowledging other wrestling promotions.
Gunther can say he doesn’t have a career… but that means to me that, you know, there’s in that universe, the WWE Universe, no other wrestling exists,
Nash explained.
It’s kind of like Marvel… there’s not a whole lot of talk during a Marvel film about f***ing Batman
.
Reflecting on AJ Styles’ Career and Endurance
Looking back at Styles’ journey, Nash highlighted the physical demands Styles endured, particularly during his time in Japan, which solidified his status as a top performer in the Bullet Club faction.
Dude, that motherf***er was running in Japan when that Bullet Club was on fire, and he was like, f***ing, he was the main dog of the Bullet Club,
Nash recalled.
Nash contrasted Styles’ physically taxing wrestling style with his own path, pointing out that Styles accumulated injuries performing high-risk moves, whereas Nash entered the industry already carrying damage.
He was a high flyer for a lot of f***ing years, you know, he did a lot of s**t,
Nash said.
You look at the amount of bumps that he’s taken, and it’s like, I can’t even… I was f***ed up before I got into… the business
.
Anticipating Life Beyond the Ring for AJ Styles
Discussing what retirement might look like for Styles, Nash portrayed the wrestler as someone likely to live away from public attention, preferring a quieter lifestyle after leaving the spotlight.
I know AJ pretty well, and he’s not some flamboyant motherf***er,
Nash said.
I’ll guarantee he still lives in Gainesville, Georgia, just in a nicer house with more property
.
Nash’s insights suggest that if AJ Styles steps away from WWE, his trademark ownership could empower new opportunities, while his career-ending match may mark a definitive conclusion to his time as a performer within WWE’s universe.
