Nic Nemeth Reveals Vince McMahon’s Initial Doubts About AJ Styles Before WWE Stardom

Article:

In a recent candid interview on the Busted Open podcast, Nic Nemeth—better known to WWE fans as Dolph Ziggler—opened up about former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s initial reservations regarding AJ Styles when he first arrived in WWE. Despite AJ Styles evolving into one of WWE’s top stars with multiple championship reigns, Nemeth recalled that Vince’s early perception was “iffy” and skeptical due to a mix of traditional mindsets and AJ’s style and look[1].

AJ Styles entered WWE in 2016 amid great anticipation from fans and industry insiders because of his global reputation built in promotions like TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling. However, Nic Nemeth shared that backstage, Vince McMahon was not instantly sold on AJ as a top-tier WWE talent. “When he was coming into WWE behind the scenes, I was told, this is secondhand, but the boss was like, ‘The way he saw AJ was he still had that 80s mentality,’” Nemeth explained[1]. Vince had long held that only wrestlers with the traditional big, imposing physique, roughly six-foot-five, like “The Warlord,” fit his mold of a main-event star. AJ Styles, while athletic and muscular, did not meet that towering stature[1].

Nemeth also detailed that Vince’s hesitation was compounded by AJ’s Southern accent and style, which clashed with Vince’s old-school image preferences. “…because of him having somewhat of a southern twang to his voice. Basically Vince here is like Heath Slater telling a joke and is like, ‘Oh, that’s what AJ Styles is. OK, I can’t even take him seriously,’” said Nemeth, indicating the lingering outdated mindset McMahon had from his earlier wrestling era[1]. Such biases illustrate the challenges modern wrestlers with diverse backgrounds face in altering longstanding executive perspectives entrenched in wrestling tradition.

Despite Vince’s initial doubts, AJ Styles quickly proved his worth inside the ring and won over the WWE audience. His in-ring talent and charisma led him to multiple WWE Championships, including two WWE title reigns, three U.S. Championships, and other accolades such as Intercontinental and Tag Team Titles, marking his rise to one of WWE’s top stars[1]. Sources close to the company have indicated that Vince’s mindset began changing after AJ’s performances, including a notable WrestleMania match and subsequent world title shot against Roman Reigns, ultimately cementing his status[3].

AJ’s debut itself was a key moment. According to a YouTube interview, Vince McMahon was initially unimpressed when AJ debuted at the Royal Rumble, considering it “a fluke” and not immediately recognizing the potential impact AJ would have on the brand[3]. However, over time, AJ demonstrated the kind of relentless commitment and in-ring storytelling that Vince respects, forcing a revision of his earlier viewpoint.

Nic Nemeth’s reflections, which have also been echoed in some WWE podcasts and interviews, shed light on the complexities of breaking through entrenched wrestling hierarchies. AJ Styles’ story is a testament to perseverance overcoming old-school stereotypes in WWE’s corporate leadership. His journey highlights the tension between heritage wrestling booking philosophies and evolving contemporary talent recognition[1][3].

From a backstage perspective, Nemeth’s insight offers a window into Vince McMahon’s decision-making process during a transitional phase for WWE, where new styles and characters increasingly diverged from traditional archetypes. As a respected veteran and someone who has navigated WWE’s evolving landscape himself, Nemeth’s commentary provides valuable context for wrestling fans about how top talent can initially struggle to gain full acceptance, even with undeniable skills.

According to sources close to WWE’s locker room, AJ Styles was often described among peers as a “pitbull” in the ring—intense, fiercely competitive, and adaptable—qualities that eventually won over Vince and firmly established AJ in WWE’s main event scene[3]. It is precisely this doggedness and adaptability that Nemeth credited with transforming Vince’s views over time.

The broader narrative suggests that McMahon’s initial iffy perception did not prevent AJ Styles from becoming a cornerstone of WWE programming. Instead, it underscores how evolving WWE’s talent philosophy sometimes involves overcoming subjective biases in corporate leadership. AJ’s success opened doors for more diverse talents with distinct regional backgrounds and wrestling styles, proving that the modern WWE fan values performance quality over old-school stereotypes.

In conclusion, Nic Nemeth’s recent revelations highlight the challenges AJ Styles overcame due to Vince McMahon’s traditionalist views at the time of his WWE arrival. Yet, AJ’s undeniable wrestling prowess and work ethic allowed him to rise above those initial doubts to become one of WWE’s most celebrated superstars in the current generation. This story not only celebrates AJ’s career but also serves as an instructive case study of WWE’s shifting internal culture under Vince McMahon’s leadership.

Sources:
Sportskeeda – Nic Nemeth on Vince McMahon’s initial doubts about AJ Styles[1]
YouTube interview with AJ Styles on Vince McMahon’s reaction[3]
WrestlingInc article quoting Nic Nemeth on the same topic[1]