Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows discuss plans that were in place for a possible return to New Japan Pro Wrestling for AJ Styles.
Speaking on a pop-up return edition of their podcast, Talk’n Shop, Gallows & Anderson addressed the reports that NJPW wanted AJ for a one time only appearance.
We were doing a FaceTime — it was our boss at the time, Triple H, Gallows, Anderson, AJ Styles, and we were figuring out what we were going to do. This would have probably been in September, maybe August, I don’t know, but whatever it was, we’d almost basically decided on AJ Styles coming over and helping me win that match vs. Tanahashi, and then, the very next night would’ve been Monday Raw,
“We were happy that, logistically, with what was going on in prior commitments, it didn’t work out. Not because we don’t like Edmonton. We had a great time in Edmonton, but we knew that the New York faithful would give it to us, and I think Edmonton would have given it to us as well, but New York’s a hot place to make a comeback,” said Gallows. “We’ve been lucky with two WWE debuts together, the first being Staples Center in Los Angeles and then the return in the Barclays Center, New York City. WWE staples but kind of old-school Bullet Club staples. Maybe you call it ‘a smarter audience.’ I don’t know, but they always are welcoming and give us a little love. We love that.”
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows
This appearance of course did not end up happening in the end, but it is certainly interesting to know how close it came to being a reality.
H/T to Fightful
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