AJ Styles Wants HBK At Royal Rumble, Responds To Ryback’s ‘Squash’ Claim

AJ Styles hopes to face a legend at the Royal Rumble.

With the Rumble taking place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, rumors have circulated about hometown star Shawn Michaels possibly being involved in the show. AJ Styles says he's heard rumors that the retired star could be stepping up to make an appearance, something he told Sports Illustrated.

"I would love the opportunity to wrestle him. I'd love to learn from him, but who's to say if that's going to happen. Right now, it's all speculation and rumors that I'm finding out like everyone else is, but man, what a match that would be," said Styles.

Another rumored match was Ryback taking on Styles at WrestleMania. According to Ryback, Vince McMahon wanted Ryback to 'squash' Styles, something the WWE Champion said could have been true.

"I think what Ryback said may have been true at that time. I don't know that Vince knew exactly what he had in AJ Styles, and I think his opinion of me changed somewhat quickly. That's OK, I've been doing that my whole life—changing people's opinion of me and what I'm capable of. I'm not mad at Ryback. If it was said, it was said, and I'm not mad at Vince McMahon. Opinions vary, and they change," said Styles.

Styles will square off against Dean Ambrose on next week's Smackdown Live.