AJ Styles is one of the most high-profile stars in WWE. Since making his WWE pay-per-view five years ago, he has accomplished more than many long-time fans thought. Three United States Championship reigns, one run with the Intercontinental Championship, and a two-time WWE Champion status can’t be overlooked. Without question, “The Phenomenal One” has punched above his weight, becoming one of the company’s marquee stars in the process. However, if you were to ask fans of Styles’ chances in WWE in the early 2010s, they may not have been optimistic. Styles’ WWE career proper began in the 2016 Royal Rumble match.
It’s important to keep in mind that, for years beforehand, Styles been linked to other promotions. Most notably, he served as the flag bearer for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, later known as IMPACT Wrestling, for twelve years. He became perhaps the most decorated star in the history of the promotion. During this time, he amassed five world title reigns, among other achievements. Styles would also enjoy success in New Japan Pro Wrestling, becoming a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. This doesn’t even begin to cover the success he found in other promotions, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Ring of Honor included.
AJ Styles was, for a time, the wrestler that hardcore wrestling fans latched onto. They admired his work ethic and consistency throughout the years. Thus, when it was rumored that he was bound for WWE, many fans were skeptical at best and worried at worst. WWE hasn’t had the best track record of featuring wrestlers that made their names independent of the company; why would Styles be any different? As time showed, it would be fair to say that the veteran wrestler from Gainesville, Georgia fared well for himself.
Leading to the 2016 Royal Rumble
Rewind to the beginning of 2016. In January of that year, AJ Styles was part of a prominent match at Wrestle Kingdom 10, NJPW’s most important show of the year. On this show, he battled Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. During this time, Styles was the leader of the nefarious Bullet Club while Nakamura was part of CHAOS. This was a battle of wrestlers from feuding stables, but more importantly, it marked the first time Styles and Nakamura ever touched in singles competition.
Styles and Nakamura would go on to have one of the most well-received matches of not only the show but 2016 in general. Despite a strong effort from Styles, he couldn’t overcome the reigning champion in Nakamura. Post-match, Styles and Nakamura showed mutual respect with a fist bump. Not long after the match concluded, it was reported that Styles was departing NJPW and making his way to WWE. To say that this rocked the wrestling world would be an understatement. Even WWE stoked the flames with an article teasing that they may have not only signed Styles, but Nakamura, Karl Anderson, and Doc Gallows.
Even after various reports floated around the internet, by and large, the wrestling world didn’t know what to believe. On the surface, neither Styles, Nakamura, nor Anderson seemed like stars WWE would be interested in. Furthermore, Gallows had already appeared on WWE programming in years past in different roles, including a Kane doppelganger. Leading to the 2016 Royal Rumble match, the rumors didn’t die down. Early into the match in question, at least one of the rumors in question would be confirmed, making for an early contender for the most shocking moment of the year.
AJ Styles Appears in the 2016 Royal Rumble Match
On January 24th, 2016, at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, WWE held the 2016 Royal Rumble event. That year’s Rumble would be different from years prior. For the first time since 1992, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship itself was up for grabs. Roman Reigns, the champion at the time, entered the match at number one. Needless to say, he would have a long night, complete with twists and turns, ahead of him.
Rusev, now known as Miro in AEW, entered the Royal Rumble match at number two. In relatively short order, Reigns eliminated “The Bulgarian Brute.” Resting in the corner, Reigns awaited the next contender. The timer counted down, the audience in Orlando audibly counting down with it. After the buzzer sounded, an unfamiliar theme played, much to the confusion of Reigns and the audience. However, on the big screen, the phrase “I Am Phenomenal” flashed. Cue a raucous ovation from the crowd; AJ Styles had arrived.
As the crowd continued to cheer, Styles slowly made his way to the ring. All the while, Michael Cole spoke on commentary, “It has been rumored for weeks that the hottest free agent in sports entertainment was headed to WWE. Styles is here!” Byron Saxton and JBL talked him up as well, listing just a sampling of his credentials. In short order, fans unfamiliar with this new entrant realized that he was a big deal. Hardcore fans never would have fathomed the concept of Styles in WWE, in any capacity. Nonetheless, there he was, sharing the ring with, at the time, WWE’s top babyface.
It’s important to note that while this was AJ Styles’ first WWE pay-per-view appearance, to call it an official debut for the company would be untrue.
In 2001, a young Styles was just getting his feet wet in the professional wrestling industry. In July of that year, he had his first tryout match for the World Wrestling Federation. He wrestled a dark match against Rick Michaels, who not only trained Styles but became a multi-time titleholder for the National Wrestling Alliance. Styles would make a few other appearances for the WWF, including wrestling The Hurricane on an episode of Metal in 2002. Despite not signing with the company at the time, it would prove to be the best move in hindsight; over the years, Styles etched a legendary career around the world.
Styles’ performance in Rumble wasn’t without its highlights. First, he stood toe to toe with Reigns, holding his own against the man he would encounter multiple times in WWE. Second, in the Rumble itself, Styles scored eliminations over Tyler Breeze and former WWE Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion, Curtis Axel. Third, Styles had one of the longer times spent in the match, lasting just shy of 29 minutes before ultimately being eliminated by Kevin Owens. For his first night as a contracted WWE Superstar, Styles performed admirably. However, the best was still yet to come.
The WWE Success of AJ Styles
Following the 2016 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles became featured in prominent programs. After spending a number of months working with Chris Jericho, both in singles but tag team competition, Styles set his sights on Roman Reigns and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Though Styles would be unsuccessful in his attempts to dethrone “The Big Dog,” it was this feud that made him a main event star in WWE. It both reaffirmed to long-time fans and showed new viewers that he lived up to his “Phenomenal” moniker.
Styles would go on to have a tremendous first year in WWE. In addition to well-received matches against Reigns and John Cena, Styles reunited with Bullet Club running mates Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, the latter of whom returned to his old WWE alias of Luke Gallows. Alongside Anderson and Gallows, Styles saw tremendous success as a heel. The following September, at Backlash, he bested Dean Ambrose to win his first WWE World Title. This wouldn’t be his only world title victory in WWE, either.
From there, it seemed like Styles only continued to add accomplishments to his already extensive resume.
Even when he was in the United States or Intercontinental Title picture, Styles’ presence made those accolades feel more important. In these situations, the title didn’t make the wrestler, but rather, the wrestler elevated the title. In just five years, Styles carved a career in WWE worthy of a future Hall of Fame induction.
There have been many surprise Royal Rumble entrants over the years. While many of these were guest spots, serving as ways to excite audiences and lend unpredictability to the matches, others had long-standing value. In a matter of a few years, Styles solidified himself as a top star in WWE. His successful debut and performance in the 2016 Royal Rumble match became the platform for him to carve a deeper pro wrestling legacy.
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