5 things AJ Styles must accomplish in WWE
Phenomenal, an adjective describing something extraordinary and when defining AJ Styles career, it’s easy to realise why he was titled “The Phenomenal One”. From an amateur to a legend, Styles applied his diverse abilities across the globe.
Earning respect from fans and colleagues alike, evident by Kurt Angle telling ESPN in 2016, “I would have to say the best wrestler I wrestled was AJ Styles. He’s a special talent, he is a rare breed…’’. A massive statement made by an icon like Angle and Styles unquestionably has the credentials to support this praise.
Dubbed as Mr TNA, he acquired the honour of being the first TNA Triple Crown winner by acquiring the TNA X Division Champion, NWA Tag Team Title and NWA World Heavyweight Title. Styles became the only TNA superstar to reach the pinnacle of the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 wrestlers on the planet in 2010.
Styles made Ring of Honor history by becoming the inaugural ROH Pure Champion. Arriving on NJPW territory, Styles became only the sixth gaijin to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, a prestige he acquired in his debut match. These accolades barely scratch the surface of AJ Styles nineteen-year career.
Having been unsuccessful in WWE back in 2002, Styles marched into Vince McMahan’s company looking to embark on a new chapter in his growing legacy. Debuting in iconic fashion, Styles went on to brilliant matches with Chris Jericho and Roman Reigns.
Although coming up short in these feuds, WWE realised his immense talents. They finally endorsed him in the form of a “clean” victory over their franchise star John Cena. WWE would not regret their decision as they struck gold in 2016 with Styles. Look no further than Pro Wrestling Illustrated and Wrestling Observer Newsletter naming AJ Styles the number one professional wrestler in the world in 2016.
It's proved that acquiring Styles might be WWE’s biggest signing to date. Having reached a prominent status in WWE already, there is still a lot that AJ Styles needs to do to round off a perfect career.
Here are five things AJ Styles must accomplish in WWE.
#1 Win the Royal Rumble
“The hottest free agent in sports entertainment”, exclaimed Michael Cole. That statement will tell you what WWE thought of AJ Styles even before he set his foot in a WWE ring after 14 years. Over 15 thousand stunned fans in the Amway centre united in a thunderous ovation to his arrival. Styles popularity was blazing hot, therefore WWE let him bypass NXT to make the greatest Royal Rumble debut of all time. Unfortunately, the Rumble ended with a familiar face taking the win.
John Cena, Batista, Triple H, and Randy Orton all won their second Royal Rumble since the turn of the decade. These are superstars have been in the main event before and were going right back there. From questionable decisions of younger talent not going over rematches that no fan wanted to see, to the most hated main event in Wrestlemania history -- it is turning into a disaster. It’s time that the Royal Rumble gives validation to a winner fans demand.
The PPV has been special for Styles as he made his unforgettable debut in the marquee match in 2016. The following year he defended the WWE Championship and the 2018 edition should be a ticket to Wrestlemania for him. Styles winning will make history, however, more importantly, it will set up a long-awaited rematch with a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.