Biggest Takeaways from 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's Podcast with AJ Styles

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin's interview with AJ Styles revealed more about The Phenomenal One's motivations, mindset and backstory than anything fans have yet to see on WWE TV.

Styles sat down with Austin after Monday's Raw on the WWE Network, joining the long list of Superstars to appear on the Hall of Famer's podcast. The live conversation allowed the audience to learn where Styles comes from and to see his mean streak on display.

Since WWE brought Styles aboard in January, it has presented him as an underdog with plenty to prove. There has been something missing from that presentation, though, something we saw often in his interview with Austin. 

In opening up about his childhood and recalling his journey through the independent circuit, Styles was able to better connect with WWE fans, adding reasons to root for him.

A Pit Bull from the Start 

Thanks to Styles being a new addition to the roster, his backstory hasn't been told several times over. There haven't been WWE documentaries about him. WWE hasn't done a bunch of features on its website on his path to the company.

So more than most of Austin's interviews, fans were treated to less familiar information.

Styles reflecting on growing up in Jacksonville, North Carolina, revealed he was forced to toughen up at a young age. His father, a Marine, was abusive to his kids and his wife.

"When he was drinking, he was a terrible father," Styles said.

When his dad was intoxicated, Styles and his brothers knew trouble was ahead. "We knew somebody's gonna get torn up," he explained.

Styles' stories about playing football, basketball, baseball and amateur wrestling showed off a ferocity that hasn't been onscreen nearly enough.

He was a fearless, hungry player no matter the sport. When he got on the wrestling mat, his claws came out. "I wasn't just wrestling to beat you; I wanted to hurt you," he said.

That diverse athletic experience provided a great foundation for him when he tried his hand at pro wrestling. Storytelling skills would come later, but he had the requisite toughness to take bumps on his back day in and day out. 

The Heartbreak Kid and Cheerleading 

When Austin asked him where he picked up all his high-flying moves and amazing agility, Styles said he did competitive cheerleading with his wife. That helped him learn to do flips and to not be afraid of diving around the ring. 

When he first began his wrestling career, he had to supplement his income with odd jobs. He delivered bottled water, mowed grass...whatever it took.

That part of his real-life story needs to be folded into his onscreen persona should he begin to play a babyface again.

Styles credited former WWE wrestler and renowned trainer Terry Taylor for helping him learn the nuances of the business. "It takes years to understand that there are more important things than the wrestling," he said, referring to elements like in-ring psychology and storytelling.

He admired and emulated Shawn Michaels. "Everything he did meant something," Styles said of the Hall of Famer. 

That influence is clear seeing Styles wrestle today. He's no Heartbreak Kid copycat, but The Phenomenal One clearly studied Michaels' ability to get the best out of his opponents and to maximize the drama of a bout.

Styles, though, recognized his limitations early in his career. When WCW went out of business in 2001, WWE didn't pick up his contract. He believes that was for the best.

"At that time, I didn't need to be there. That wasn't the place for me," Styles said.

In his mind, had he come to WWE then, he would have fizzled out. He simply wasn't ready.

TNA/Japan

Wherever Styles went, he was determined to prove he deserved to be there. He wanted to work his way to the top.

Talking about this part of his career, Styles sounded confident and hungry. WWE fans have seen flashes of that side of him in front of the camera. It's certainly something that needs to be tapped into more.

When TNA first signed him in 2002, Styles didn't think much of it. In his mind, this was just another indy promotion.

The company rose from that point, though, with Styles at the forefront. He battled Jerry Lynn, Low-Ki and Samoa Joe in some great matches. Each time out, Styles looked to make a major impact.

"We were doing something special," he said of that time.

The ultimate goal was to compete with WWE and even UFC. En route to that, Styles grew more driven each time he slid from the top spot on the card.

He gave of himself and produced at a high level, but didn't feel appreciated at the end of his run. "I feel like when you work hard, you should get paid for that," Styles said. TNA, however, wanted him to take a pay cut. 

Styles decided instead to venture out on his own. He competed for Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling, elevating his name in the process.

Of that choice, Styles said he bet on himself and "that bet worked." 

With NJPW he was wrestling the promotion's top names, from Kazuchika Okada to Shinsuke Nakamura. Although the crowds were quieter and he missed his kids, Styles said he was at ease between the ropes in Japan.

"I was at home," he explained. He would soon feel that way about WWE.

WWE is Home

"I was so worried that they wouldn't know who I was," Styles said of what was on his mind before debuting at the Royal Rumble.

The crowd sure did, giving him a thunderous response. The moment proved powerful. "I could have stood there for five minutes and soaked it in," he said.

It didn't take long after that for Styles to settle in with the company. He told Austin how much he has enjoyed working for WWE, calling it the "most professional place" he has ever worked.

And apparently WWE is making him feel welcome. "They treated me like gold here," Style explained.

While many might think of him as just an athletic cruiserweight, it was clear throughout the interview that Styles is a hard-nosed scrapper as well. He talked about liking hitting people hard and taking hard shots for the sake of a match.

He explained that he will encourage his opponents to crank up the violence, telling them, "Let's make a sound."

All he wanted with WWE was an opportunity to make a name for himself. He has done just that, being arguably the company's top performer in 2016.

Styles will certainly strive to keep that momentum going. He talked about enjoying working to get to a lofty position. 

"I know I'm not the biggest guy here. I know I have something to prove," Styles told Austin.

That's a thought he has shared in many a promo on Raw and SmackDown. WWE Creative has to find ways to exploit some of the other intriguing elements he shared with fans on Monday night. Styles is a compelling figure.