AJ Styles Shuts Down Claims He Disrespected Japanese Wrestling After WWE Japan Comments

TLDR

AJ Styles addressed backlash on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast after fans accused him of disrespecting New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Hiroshi Tanahashi during comments about WWE possibly expanding into Japan. Styles clarified he never named New Japan specifically and defended Tanahashi as a close personal friend he would never disrespect. He also stood by his original remarks, saying he had heard from trusted sources about internal issues at New Japan, including speculation that this year's Forbidden Door could be the last crossover event with AEW and Stardom.