Champion wrestler AJ Styles admits he's addicted to videogames

Jul 19 2012 EXCLUSIVE by Ben Spencer

News Editor Ben faces the wrath of the American grappler

FORMER world champion wrestler AJ Styles has an addiction - he can’t stop playing videogames.

The American grappler. who has won 18 championships with US promotion TNA Wrestling, told The Glaswegian that he loves gaming so much that he has had a special Xbox gaming system made for him in a suitcase so he can play wherever he travels.

And the 35-year-old, who returns to Glasgow next January to compete at the Braehead Arena, said he has even risked the wrath of his wife by recently turning up at the family home with three large arcade machines.

He said: “I have an addiction, I really do, to video games.

“I have recently purchased three arcade standups. They are classic games and it’s so cool to be able to sit down in my own arcade and play.

“I’m not bragging about how much money I make - I got these things pretty cheap. But I still p****d my wife off when she saw me bringing them home.

“But that’s how I relax. I don’t know what it is about them but it really relaxes me when I am in my man cave. I definitely don’t need to work out my thumbs, they’re really strong from all the gaming!

“My all time game I think is Super Mario Brothers 2.

"It may not have been the best game but it has history with me because my dad bought the last one in the store for me on Christmas when I was a kid.

"It’s sentimental for me as when he told me the story it made having the game even better.

“I even have a special customised Xbox. The whole thing is contained in one suitcase with a screen built in and I’ve taken it and played it everywhere.

“I’ve tried to play it on planes too but it wasn’t powerful enough to run it unfortunately. I did get some funny looks getting it out in first class though!”

AJ has not fought in Glasgow for two years and said he was desperate to get the chance to perform the kind of high flying moves that have led to him being labelled the best wrestler in the world.

He added: “It’s important for us to come to Glasgow as the fans there have always been crazy about wrestling. It’s been two years since I’ve been as I was hurt one year and then we missed it out on the last tour.

“But I remember the times I have been there it was an absolute experience.”

The grappler, from Gainesville, Georgia, said he thought the reason for his success may be due to fans finding him easy to relate to.

“I’ve asked myself what it is that I have that people like to watch. Maybe it is that they can relate to me, perhaps I don’t look that much different from them.

“I wish I could put my finger on it. But that’s a good thing that they can watch and relate to me. It’s important for fans to be able to not just watch, but to feel part of the show.”

TNA’s Maximum Impact V is coming to the Braehead Arena on Wednesday, January 23 of next year.

Tickets cost £22.50 to £75 and are available by visiting www.gigsandtours.com/tna2013 or by calling 0844 811 0051. Pre-sale prices will be available until April.

 

Pictures by David J Wilson  - twitter @mrdavidjwilson