AJ Styles Reveals Backstage Criticism Over His Innovative Burning Hammer Spot at WWE Backlash 2024

AJ Styles recently disclosed details about a contentious moment from WWE Backlash 2024. For context, Cody Rhodes defended the Undisputed WWE Championship versus Styles at the French PLE. During the bout, Styles delivered the Burning Hammer to Rhodes, who managed to kick out.

On the “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast, Styles explained the origin of the spot. He said he anticipated the Burning Hammer and proposed that Rhodes rally after absorbing the move. The veteran also confessed that he faced backstage criticism for putting the idea forward. Styles remarked,

“You did it. Hey, do you know how much heat I got for having you do it? I knew it was coming up. I knew it was the Burning Hammer.”

“So I suggested that he fire up out of that one, right? I believe. Man, I think that was on me, because we needed something big. And yeah, I know it’s the Burning Hammer. But it’s AJ Styles’ Burning Hammer. So it’s not Kenta Kobashi’s Burning Hammer. It’s way different. It’s not the same. I can’t do it as well as him, obviously.”

Rhodes Shares His Thoughts on the Backlash Controversy

During the same episode, The American Nightmare offered a positive take on the concept. Cody Rhodes praised the willingness to try something different and highlighted how his opponent pushed him throughout their matches. He noted that this approach aided his development and made working with Styles especially valuable. He said,

“I mean, my joke was, whenever I’m asked about it or I think about getting a little salty with it, my joke is always, ‘Well, it’s not AJ’s finish.’ It wasn’t, you know?”

“AJ busted it out for the first time ever. And I’m glad you have—I am really glad you brought this up, because it was something that you suggested, and it was wonderful that you suggested it. And it was something to try and something to have. I love a challenge. I love a development.”

“You were really big on development when we worked, and we worked live events. We worked multiple PLEs, pay‑per‑view, whatever we worked. And you were really big on development, which, at the time, I couldn’t have been more grateful.”

“I’m already honored and positioned to wrestle you, as Steve Austin put it, ‘the greatest wrestler on two feet.’ So I’m already in a really great position to do that and be with somebody that refuses to have anything bad, refuses to have good. You’re great only. And if it’s not great, then you’re mad at yourself. So that was a great position to be in. But you were really big on testing me, pushing me.”

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