What's Happening?
Matt Hardy believes that WWE superstar AJ Styles possesses the temperament and experience necessary to excel in a developmental role within WWE, potentially mentoring new talent. Hardy, speaking on 'The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy' with Jon Alba, highlighted
Styles' calm demeanor and extensive wrestling background as key attributes for such a position. He suggested that Styles' independent wrestling roots could also influence his approach to identifying and nurturing prospects. While there were initial reports about Styles taking on a larger role in NXT, a subsequent update from Wrestling Headlines, citing Fightful Select, indicated pushback against these rumors, clarifying that Styles is not currently running the WWE Performance Center. Hardy's comments, however, focus on Styles' suitability for a mentorship capacity, emphasizing his ability to work with various wrestling styles and his patient approach to coaching.
Why It's Important?
The potential involvement of a seasoned veteran like AJ Styles in WWE's developmental system could significantly impact the future of professional wrestling talent. His experience across various promotions, including TNA and WWE, and his reputation for a calm and collected approach, could provide invaluable guidance to aspiring wrestlers. This move would not only benefit individual talents by offering them a mentor with diverse in-ring knowledge but also potentially shape the overall style and quality of future WWE performers. For WWE, integrating a respected figure like Styles into a coaching role could strengthen its talent pipeline, ensuring a consistent flow of well-trained and versatile athletes. It also underscores a strategic shift towards leveraging the experience of current or recently retired stars to cultivate the next generation, potentially leading to a more dynamic and skilled roster.
What's Next?
While reports have clarified that AJ Styles is not currently running the WWE Performance Center, the discussion initiated by Matt Hardy suggests a potential future direction for Styles within WWE beyond active wrestling. Should Styles eventually transition into a developmental or coaching role, it would likely involve a learning curve for him, as Hardy acknowledged. However, his perceived patience and positive attitude are seen as crucial for navigating the challenges of mentoring wrestlers at various stages of their development. The ongoing conversation about Styles' potential backstage contributions indicates that WWE may be considering how to best utilize his extensive experience to benefit the company's long-term talent development strategy, even if a formal role has not yet been established.
Beyond the Headlines
The conversation around AJ Styles' potential developmental role highlights a broader trend in professional wrestling where veteran performers transition into coaching or administrative positions. This shift reflects an industry-wide recognition of the value in preserving and passing down institutional knowledge and in-ring expertise. It also touches upon the ethical considerations of mentorship, where experienced individuals are entrusted with shaping the careers and personal development of younger talent. Styles' independent wrestling background, as noted by Hardy, could introduce a more diverse perspective into WWE's developmental system, potentially fostering a wider range of wrestling styles and character development. This could lead to a more varied and engaging product for fans, moving beyond a singular corporate-defined style.
