Before making his mark in the WWE, AJ Styles solidified his legacy as one of the enduring icons of TNA Wrestling. Over his 12-year tenure in TNA, Styles engaged in memorable rivalries with wrestling luminaries such as Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, and Booker T, whom he defeated to claim the esteemed title of the second-ever TNA Legends Champion.
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T reminisced about his TNA feud with Styles and their initial encounter in the early 2000s as part of the WCW roster during an interview with SHAK Wrestling. Reflecting on his time working with AJ Styles, Booker T fondly expressed:
I had a great time trying to help AJ Styles in a few different ways. He’s so talented. I can’t tell him anything about his wrestling, but for me, I was there for AJ in TNA. I wanted to see the growth of AJ Styles.
Booker further recounted witnessing Styles’ evolution from his early days at the end of the WCW era to his remarkable development as a wrestler, emphasising his transformation into a well-rounded performer.
I actually got a chance to see AJ Styles as a little bitty kid at the end of the WCW run. So I saw that kid grinding for so long, and then to see him now, to see the man that he has grown into.
Following their intense clash over the TNA Legends Championship, Styles and Booker crossed paths again, this time within the realm of WWE. As Styles ascended the ranks as a formidable in-ring competitor, Booker transitioned into diverse non-wrestling roles, including that of a commentator and pre-show panellist.
What Did Booker T Say About Fans Comparing WWE’s Modern Era To The Attitude Era?
Booker T believes that the comparisons between WWE’s modern era and the attitude era need to end. Booker stated that fans need to move past the attitude era and start talking more about the current era and that it is up to the new generation of wrestling talent to make this current era better than the attitude era.
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