AJ Styles says there were backstage discussions about having Abyss compete in a WWE Royal Rumble match at one point, but the idea never came to fruition. Speaking on the Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles reflected on his history with Abyss, including their match at TNA Lockdown 2005, which he called one of his favorites. Styles labeled Abyss one of the top five big men he has worked with throughout his career.
“He is right up there in my top five of big man that could do it all and was willing to do it and could go and had great moves and a different character,” Styles said. “He was so good, man.”
Styles described the Lockdown 2005 bout, which took place inside a steel cage, as a standout match given the unique challenges it presented. Every match on the card that night was contested inside a cage, meaning Styles and Abyss had to find a way to differentiate their main event.
“We started our first, I believe it was the first 10 minutes of our match and the match hadn’t even started yet,” Styles said. “It was on the outside. We’re going, fighting all around, and then once we get in the ring, ding ding ding, the match starts. We did another 10 to 15 minutes. But it was one of my favorite matches because, tacks, I got busted open, chains, top of the cage, outside of the cage. I don’t know who thought of all this stuff.”
Styles then revealed that Abyss came close to making a WWE appearance at one stage. “There was a moment in time where we thought we were going to have him in the Royal Rumble,” Styles said. “It didn’t go through and I hate that for him. It would have been just like a stamp on Abyss. The character finally made it to WWE. I would have loved that, but I guess somebody didn’t agree.”
Abyss, real name Chris Park, has never competed in a WWE ring but has worked behind the scenes as a producer for the company since 2019. He made an on-screen appearance last month during a tribute WWE held for Styles following his retirement.
Styles wrestled his final match in January and is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has transitioned into a talent scout for the company.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit the Phenomenally Retro Podcast with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
