AJ Styles ready to be phenomenal again for Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor will be celebrating its 12th anniversary this weekend in the city where promotion began — Philadelphia.

It is only fitting that the card for the milestone event features a man that was with the promotion during its infancy stages — AJ Styles.

Styles helped Ring of Honor gain notoriety when the promotion started all the way back in 2002 with his awe-inspiring athleticism and head turning matches.

"When I was there, you could pretty much get in the ring with anyone and have amazing matches with them," Styles said during an interview with philly.com. "That's the one thing I remember. The first match that I had was against Low-Ki and never wrestled him before and had an unbelievable match."

He hopes to do more of the same this weekend when he faces Jay Lethal for the first time in Ring of Honor Friday night and Michael Elgin for the first time ever Saturday night at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory at 2700 Southampton Road.

For more information on the shows, including HonorCon, click HERE.

"I want to be that guy to help them get to another level," Styles said. "Ring of Honor is doing great. I want to be able to get them another level. I want to be able to help. It's not just going to be me. It's got to be everybody working together, obviously. I would love to see Ring of Honor get bigger."

Styles put himself on another level with Ring of Honor during his first stint with the promotion almost a decade ago. He eventually caught the eye of Jeff Jarrett, who booked Styles to appear on the first event in TNA Wrestling history.

His natural talent eventually helped him earn the nickname "The Phenomenal One" and become synonymous with TNA Wrestling, but he parted ways with the company after his contract expired late last year.

Despite being the face of the promotion by the time he left, Styles said that there haven't been any talks about new contract recently.

However, Styles did say that he was open to returning to the promotion, but only if the offer and the timing was right.

"Timing is everything in professional wrestling," Styles said. "Right now, I don't think the timing is right."

"This is my old girlfriend. I still lover her, you know," Styles said of TNA. "She's still in my heart. I'll never forget her, but my time right now is at Ring of Honor and wherever else I may go."

A lot has changed in Ring of Honor since Styles left eight years ago. Upon his return, Styles noticed the one thing that has remained the same is the quality of the product in the ring.

The names and faces have changed throughout the years, but the talent of the roster has been the one constant throughout the promotion's 12-year history.

"I was pleasantly surprised to see all the athletes and the great wrestling that's still there and having the opportunity to wrestle guys I've never wrestled before," Styles said. "It's a dream match not just for me and my opponent, but for other people. That's a great thing."

With the slew of talent that exists in Ring of Honor, Styles wasn't worried about having quality matches when he stepped through the ropes for the promotion again. Instead, he was more worried about the reception he would receive the personalities in the locker room when he made his official return Jan. 4.

Styles feared that there would be some resentment due to his stature in the wrestling industry, but it turned out to be much adieu about nothing, as he received a warm reception from his colleagues.

"I know what it's like for a guy to come in with a little bit of a name and thinking he's someone. It's almost like, 'Oh great, this guy is here just to make a paycheck,'" he said. "But when I walked through there they knew that's not what I was there to do, so they did welcome me with open arms. That was very appreciated."

What Styles appreciates even more is that younger talents have sought his advice and insight into the wrestling business. Even if it was something as simple feedback on a match, his opinion and analysis is looked at as an asset.

"My job as an experienced wrestler is to help these younger guys and make sure that they put on good matches and if they have questions be able to be there to answer them," Styles said. "If I can help them out in any way and make the product better, that's my job."

"That's just shows the passion they have to get better and make the company better as a whole," he added. "You can't beat that, man. That's exactly the way I was. I think that's exactly how you grow as not only as a professional wrestler, but as a person."

As a professional wrestler, Styles is comfortable with his place in the business. He's still in good enough shape to have quality outings in the ring and is able to provide for his family. With that said, Styles does not plan on over-staying his time in the ring.

"Hopefully, it isn't too much longer," he said. "I don't want to be the guy that's in it in his 50s. I definitely don't want to be that guy. I want to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Working hard now pays off in the long run and that's exactly what I intend to do."

"As long as I'm able to enjoy myself and make sure that I can put on quality matches, then I'll keep doing it, but when I think that a match is suffering because I can't get it done, then I think it'll be time for me to retire," he added.

Until that time comes, however, Styles is prepared to be phenomenal in the ring once again for Ring of Honor.