AJ Styles Talks Boneyard Match With Undertaker, Working With Him
Photo Credit: Bill Pritchard
AJ Styles sat down with Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso to discuss the Boneyard Match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36 a few months ago. The interview surfaces shortly after The Undertaker saw the last chapter of his documentary released in which he seemingly hinted that he is officially retired.
Check out the highlights of the conversation below. Earlier today, AJ Styles sent out a tweet saying that he was honored to have been the last opponent of The Undertaker.
On when he found out the match would happen, and what his goal was for the match:
I found out I was going to be working The Undertaker right before the Saudi show [in February]. I was like, ‘Finally, I get an opportunity to learn from a guy like The Undertaker.’ I was super excited about it. I was so jealous of guys that got to work him. For me, to be able to learn from the best, it was a blessing. My goal was to give The Undertaker something he could be proud of. My expectations were so different because I didn’t know what the WWE universe would think of a match like this.
On some behind the scenes news regarding the match:
There were definitely some crazy moments. Undertaker had to get stitches after he busted his arm open. That just added to the match, to be honest with you. Just being there and doing that particular match was awesome. I don’t know if everyone knows how long it actually took. We started around eight o’clock, and we didn’t get finished ‘til about 4:30 in the morning. It was basically a movie, so we needed to get cameras in the right spot and walk through some stuff that was going to happen. I have a lot more respect for actors after working on those fight scenes.
Where wrestling The Undertaker ranks on his career accomplishments list:
It’s an accomplishment just to be able to work an angle with him. I didn’t think that was ever going to happen. I heard in the last episode [of Last Ride] that Undertaker thought he was done and ready to move away from wrestling. I didn’t know that, I didn’t know that was going on. So it’s such an honor that he would trust me enough to work me, even though he had decided he was done.
On how fun it was working with The Undertaker:
First of all, you need some layers when it comes to your character. If not, you’re going to get stale at some point, so you’ve got to be able to switch it up, make it entertaining, and show another side of you. Not only was I trying to show some versatility, so was The Undertaker, too. We didn’t know who we were going to get at WrestleMania. Was it the American Badass or The Undertaker? I think people were happy to see that they got both in the Boneyard match. It was even a combination of himself, The Undertaker, and the American Badass.
On if he would fight Undertaker again if given the option:
It would be ideal. But we need to figure out if Taker wants to do one more. Does he have one more ‘Last Ride’ in him? I don’t know. If he does, absolutely, I’d take that ride with him.
You can read the entire interview here. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
READ MORE: The Undertaker Claims He Has ‘No Desire To Get Back In The Ring’