World heavyweight champion AJ Styles and a whole host of other top TNA Wrestling stars come to Coventry SkyDome this Thursday evening (January 28) for another taste of theatrical entertainment and bone crunching grappling ring action, writes Ziad Chaudry.
The 31-year-old from Gainesville, Georgia loves performing in Britain and cannot wait to return to Britain and defend his world title against Londoner Desmond Wolfe: "Last year the fans here in UK were unbelievable so it's nice to come back here and experience that again," said Styles, who won the title in a five-way bout back in September. "It obvious that you guys have the best fans in the world when it comes to wrestling."
Professional wrestling has long moved on since Tony Banger Walsh, Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, Mick McManus, Jackie Pallo, Les Kellet and Adrian Street were all jumping up and down in front of millions of ITV television viewers on Saturday afternoons during the 1960's, 70's and 80's. Styles recognised how popular the British scene was at the time but admits his knowledge is limited: "I did know who Johnny Saint was, I've watched a couple of his bouts on tape. But I don't too much of the British Wrestling."
Rival organisation WWE may regards itself as being the world's number one wrestling organisation but when it comes to quality entertainment value Styles reckons all the best wrestlers are in TNA: "TNA is totally non-stop action that is exactly what we're all about," Styles continued. "We have the best roster in Wrestling.
"These wrestlers are second to none when it comes to athletic ability. We've got everything you want to see in wrestling - the entertainment, glamour, the British stars - we've got it all. We've got pretty anything you possibly want in wrestling here in TNA."
And on his world title defence he said: "It's doesn't matter who I'm fighting because I am the world heavyweight champion. I defend my title no matter what."
"The way these fans are they make legends. I believe in wrestling the fans make the legends and with TNA one day I will be called a legend."
"I never go and mellow it in. These fans pay to see wrestling and that's what they're going to get from AJ Styles."
Also appearing on this Thursday's 'Maximum iMPACT!' bill is the British trio of Desmond Wolfe, Rob Terry and Doug Williams, plus Samoa Joe and Awesome Kong. Tickets are available by calling on 02476 330 693 otherwise pop in to the SkyDome ticket office.