WWE/NJPW News: Karl Anderson talks about Kenny Omega's rise and his friendship with AJ Styles

What’s the story?

Former WWE Raw Tag Team Champion Karl Anderson recently appeared on The Steve Austin Show Unleashed podcast. During Anderson’s interview with Stone Cold, the former Bullet Club member talked about his two former Bullet Club stablemates Kenny Omega and AJ Styles.

In case you didn’t know…

Karl Anderson is a former member of the legendary Japanese faction, the Bullet Club. Back in 2013, Anderson became one of the original founders of the group along with Finn Balor (then known as Prince Devitt), Bad Luck Fale, and Tama Tonga. During his time with the Bullet Club, Anderson also became a three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion along with Luke Gallows.

It was back in 2014 when “The Phenomenal One” AJ Styles took over the Bullet Club’s leadership from Balor and later that very same year at the NJPW: Power Struggle event Anderson along with his fellow Bullet Club associates introduced Kenny Omega as the newest member of the faction.

“The Machine Gun” had a strong relationship with both Styles and Omega, during his time with the Biz Cliz and in 2016 Anderson also witnessed Kenny Omega becoming the new leader of the Bullet Club as “The Cleaner” took over the reigns from AJ Styles.

The heart of the matter

During Anderson’s chat with Stone Cold Steve Austin, the former IWGP Tag Team Champion had some high praises for both of his former Bullet Club stablemates Kenny Omega and AJ Styles. Here are a few highlights from the interview:

On Kenny Omega’s rise to the top:

Anderson stated that Kenny Omega has had a great rise in NJPW so far and till date “The Cleaner” also remains a great friend of Anderson. The 37-year-old additionally said that he has had some great matches alongside Kenny Omega as part of 6-man and 8-man tag team matches and also regarded the current Bullet Club leader as very creative.

“When he first got into the Bullet Club it gave him a big shove, so it is cool to see where he has been going now because he’s a great athlete,” Anderson stated.

On his friendship with AJ Styles:

Anderson said that he and AJ developed a great friendship during their time together in NJPW. The former Raw Tag Team Champion claimed that he did not have a relationship with Styles when he first came over to NJPW following the departure of Finn Balor to WWE.

Furthermore, “The Machine Gun”, said that he was completely blown away by Styles’ in-ring capabilities and the reaction he received from the Japanese crowd.

AJ Styles as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, with Karl Anderson as part of the Bullet Club

“I’ve been saying this since I first saw him wrestle in 2014 in Japan; he is easily the best wrestler ever in the world. Right now, he is the best wrestler in this world at this moment.”- Anderson added.

What’s next?

Karl Anderson might be a former Raw Tag Team Champion, but he is currently one of the most underutilized stars in WWE today. The North Carolina native has had some of the best singles, as well as tag team matches during his time in NJPW, however, WWE has failed to capitalize of Anderson’s potential and have heavily mistreated him.

Author’s Take

Karl Anderson remains as one of the legendary members of the Bullet Club and his time with both Kenny Omega and AJ Styles is definitely a golden period in NJPW and Bullet Club’s history.