Wrestling fans know that one of the big moves in AJ Styles’ arsenal is the ‘Styles Clash’. When he first came into WWE, he was using the ‘calf-crusher’ as his primary finishing move. There were some rumors for a little while that the ‘Styles Clash’ was banned in WWE but as we know now, he was eventually able to use it.
It turns out that Chris Jericho played a big role in AJ getting to use the move. Jericho was recently interviewed by ‘107.7 The Bone’. This was to promote his new book: No Is a Four-Letter Word: How I Failed Spelling but Succeeded in Life (Which you can buy here). During the interview, he shared some insight into how the move got unbanned.
“When A.J. came in I believed he was going to be a huge star which of course he is. He had this finishing move called the Styles Clash which was kind of unofficially banned in the WWE because there was rumors that people had gotten hurt from it and all that sort of thing, but I knew it was a great move. I knew it was an easy move to take. I knew it was something that could give AJ an extra color to paint your pictures with. I basically…started using it (taking it) during matches just so Vince could see it. I figured if he saw it and didn’t want me to do it then he would know…and people were so mad at me because I was kicking out of the move like “Jericho’s burying A.J…” It’s like shut up you idiots I have a plan here…”
Jericho says he was able to convince Vince by not using the words ‘Styles Clash’.
“Eventually I went to Vince and said “Did you see that move that AJ Did?” Never using the words the Styles Clash because I knew…that name is taboo. Oh, the Styles Clash you can’t do it. So, I said you know that move where he picks me up and dumps me on my face?…He should use that as a finish!” Yes, absolutely use it as a finish.” So, I was able to kind of indirectly able to get the move unbanned by just doing it, and not asking for permission, and never using the name Styles Clash when I talked to Vince about it. Now it’s one of AJ’s biggest moves. I believed it could work. I wanted to stand up for it, but once again you have to be kind of sly about it sometimes”
Looks like we can thank Y2J!
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