STOP THIEF
I laughed when A.J. Styles talked about Michelle McCool stealing the Styles Clash and about the moves John Morrison allegedly pilfered.
I worked the World Wrestling All-Stars PPV in February 2002. One of the bouts was a six-man cruiserweight elimination match that included Styles. When I met with the cruiserweights to discuss what they called their moves, A.J. just tacked his last name onto every move he did. For example, A.J. called his version of the Shooting Star Press the Shooting Styles Press.
Me: “Is it any different than a standard Shooting Star Press?”
Styles: “Uh, no.”
Me: “So why are we changing the name?”
Styles: “Because it’s me doing it.”
Me: “I’m not sure I buy that.”
Nor did I sell it. When I did commentary, the only move I attached A.J.’s name to was the Styles Clash. It was the only move unique to him, the only move that still bears A.J.’s name today.
No knock on Styles. Good worker, good guy. But wrestlers should only take ownership of finishing moves, and only then within the context of their promotion. And if you do nick something, don’t attach your name. Stealing is OK. Feigning original ownership isn’t.
A.J. learned. Consider what he calls his bicycle kick. Although if Pele knows, I’m not sure he’d see it as a tribute.
