There are many things to love about WWE champion AJ Styles. Chief among them the fact he’s really, really good at this whole pro wrestling thing we all seem to like around here.
But for me, my favorite thing about The Prince of Phenomenal, his handle on Austin Creed (aka Xavier Woods)’s YouTube gaming channel UpUpDownDown, is how he reacts to losing video games the same way I did.
When I was nine.
We’ve chronicled his epic meltdowns through two games of Madden against Seth “The Champ” Rollins in last season’s tournament, so we were following his progress through this year’s edition with great interest. When he advanced to the SmackDown semi-finals, where AJ’s beloved Atlanta Falcons would have to face Kofi “Mr. 24/7” Kingston and the New England Patriots in a rematch of this past January’s historic Super Bowl... well, Senor Benjamin couldn’t have prepared a better battlefield for massacre.
Much to our sadistic delight, Kingston and the Pats whooped Styles’ Falcons. It was here! How would he freak out this time? Would controllers get snapped? Trophies thrown?
A handshake and “good game”!?!?!? Even Kofi was disappointed.
P.O.P.: I think I took that loss really well.
Mr. 24/7: You did, and I’m actually kind of mad. We’ve got extra controllers... you don’t want to throw a controller? You didn’t... that’s not the AJ that I wanted!
Me neither Kof. Me neither.
But don’t give up hope! There is another! Behold, The Champ himself, who dealt with his shocking, first ever UUDD Madden loss in the first round by silently leaving the room and screaming in the hallway...
...which is how I react to losing video games now.