AJ Styles Says He Was Never the Leader of the Bullet Club
AJ Styles rejected the title of Bullet Club leader during his run with the Japanese professional wrestling stable, explaining in a recent interview that he deliberately avoided the designation to keep the group focused on collective impact rather than a single individual. Speaking on Cody Rhodes’ What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, 411mania.com reported, the WWE Hall of Famer detailed why he structured his tenure in Japan around shared importance.
Styles joined the Bullet Club in 2014, capturing the IWGP Heavyweight Championship shortly after his arrival. He stepped into a leadership vacuum as an architect of the stable’s second generation following the departure of Finn Balor, who wrestled then as Prince Devitt. Rather than assuming the mantle held by his predecessor, Styles chose an egalitarian approach to the group’s dynamic.
“I never claimed to be a leader of the Bullet Club,” Styles said on the program, as transcribed by 411mania.com. “Our whole thing was — at least the way I presented it to the world — was, ‘We don’t follow anybody. And so therefore that means you don’t follow me; I’m not your leader. I’m just part of this crew, ’cause we don’t follow anybody.’”
Avoiding Centralized Focus in Stable Dynamics
The veteran performer emphasized that refusing the leadership label served a strategic purpose for the collective and its members, including stablemates Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. By neutralizing a strict hierarchy, Styles aimed to distribute the spotlight evenly across the roster.
“That was a way for me to make sure that everybody stays important, it wasn’t just one guy,” Styles explained. “Like, we as a group were a big deal. I didn’t want it to be about AJ Styles; I didn’t want it to be about Gallows and Anderson. I wanted it to be about all of us together.”
He noted that the group’s authentic enjoyment inside and outside the ring created an organic appeal for fans watching the product.
“I thought that’s what made it special,” Styles stated. “And you could tell we really enjoyed ourselves, ’cause we were having a good time. And I believe that when you’re having a good time, the fans will perceive it as something that it’s cool to be around or cool to be, I guess. So yeah, that’s why I never wanted to be the leader.”
The Environment of Japanese Professional Wrestling
Reflecting on his broader experiences overseas during that era, Styles praised the working environment within Japanese promotions. The athletic standards and crowd reactions created a distinct atmosphere for foreign talent willing to commit fully to the rigorous style.
“I loved it. I mean, if you’ve ever wrestled in Japan — which you have — it’s one of the best places to go and wrestle,” Styles told Rhodes, per 411mania.com. “They respect you so much for the ability that you show in the ring, the athletic presence and everything else that goes into it. They love it, and as long as you’re willing to give them your all, they will reciprocate.”
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