The Phenomenal Journey

AJ Styles is one of my favourite wrestlers of all-time. The modern day Excellence of Execution, a marvelous blend of gritty yet smooth and mesmerising, a true master of the arts. In an era and generation that features some of the finest to have graced the business, names such as John Cena, Bryan Danielson, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Roman Reigns, Kenny Omega, Jon Moxley, CM Punk, he more than holds a claim to belong in that list. Whether there is more to his story going forward or not, it is almost certain we are at the very last chapter of his illustrious pro wrestling career.

With that said, I thought it would be fitting to go on a journey through each distinct part of his career, from his formative years, to ace of TNA, his world tour and gaijin run and last but not least — The Face That Runs The Place. I will be covering 2 matches in each part, not necessarily the most critically-acclaimed, not the most popular, but ones that I find to add the most colour and depth to him as a talent and what he meant at every turn in his career.

AJ STYLES v. Lo-Ki v. Jerry Lynn Ladder Match (NWA/TNA, Aug 28 2002)

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AJ Styles has some ways to go before he would eventually become the ace of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, but he is no doubt an integral part from the very beginning, a huge piece in establishing the X-Division along with the competitors in this match, Amazing Red, Kid Kash and so on.

At its core, this is a sincere and grounded wrestling match that gradually builds to the big bombs, which is really lost in Ladder matches nowadays, perhaps because most of them are multi-mans with the intent of making everyone a crash dummy ala the Hardys template. Furthermore, the early X-Division run had so much more bite than what it would eventually become by the late 2000s and early 2010s with the Ultimate X matches, which, as just described, were big on crashing and burning.

A great hierarchy established here of AJ and Low Ki already being on Jerry Lynn’s level, but Lynn’s experience and timing prevailing. This being in AJ’s formative years as a wrestler, you’re of course going to see him be an absolute ball of fire and take some stunning bumps. He has a really scrappy and awesome exchange with Low Ki, to which he is immediately cut off by Lynn and bumps big for that, basically the match in a microcosm. I always thought his striking got better with the years to come, at which point its the AJ Styles I know and most love out of any era, but its half way there already just off him being full of piss and vinegar, it doesn’t really land as it should, but it’s just made up for by sheer tenacity. Low Ki is astonishing to watch, not to take shine away from the main topic here, but he is the best worker in this match, just so ahead of his time.

This is a great match worth everyone’s time in every aspect — the funky Asylum Years of TNA, just how far ahead of schedule both AJ and Low Ki are and a time where Ladder matches felt like they actually got from A to B in terms of stakes.

4/5

AJ STYLES & The Amazing Red v. The Briscoes (ROH, Mar 22 2003)

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This match is a lot, for better or for worse. Your mileage may vary. After all, there were DVDs to be sold; it was all in the name of creating as much buzz as you could. The small gripes of someone who was not there to live it, this is one hell of a showcase for all 4 guys. To say they’re working at a fast pace here would be an understatement. It is pretty stunning to watch and wow over, but it is also something you’d prefer in moderation before getting a sugar rush. The lads bump big, trade even bigger bombs and go home emphatically. AJ here and in the years to come is, in my opinion, the most freakish athlete to have graced the business, only really followed by guys like Shelton Benjamin, Brock Lesnar and Kenny Omega in that aspect. All of that pop and athleticism is on full display here, and by this point, he is really putting it together as a worker in terms of execution and placement. He has the most direct and focused showing out of anyone here on this night, which again, isn’t necessarily indicative of the people involved (although the Briscoes are only 18 and 19 years old respectively here, very much raw ingredients), more so the match structure itself (or lack thereof). Not without flaws, this is a good time.

3/5

AJ STYLES v. Samoa Joe (TNA, Dec 11 2005)

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I’m a mark for invader/ace storylines. When you have the right pieces, they are as electric as it can possibly get in wrestling. You think Cena/Lesnar, you think Tenryu/Hashimoto, you think Hokuto/Kandori, there is such fierce attitude and intent only raised higher and higher by both competitors’ attempts at outmatching and finding gears they’ve never gone to. Going into this match, the story is no different.

The outsider Samoa Joe has more than just sent the message since coming into TNA — he is going into this match unbeaten, he laid out Christopher Daniels in gruesome fashion, breaking the X-Division code. Subsequently, it’s pride and honor first, championship gold second for AJ Styles, who makes the challenge himself as the ace of the division.

Right from the get-go, AJ jumps Joe in fury that would rightfully set the tone for the rest of this match. Every kick made is gnarly, brutal and thudding. This is Samoa Joe’s match, from his striking to his selling, putting in a performance that only further backs his astonishing peak in 04–05, and Styles is just that remarkable that he matches it at every turn. Of course, saying that, it takes two to tango, this would turn into one of the great pairings of our time and the makings of it are on full display here. AJ bumps and feeds for his offense so perfectly and has so much great fire and weaponry of his own that Joe sells for just as well. It’s thrilling to watch any of their matches, let alone this one. The real juice, the real highlight of this thing (and there are MANY, think of the ground it covers) is the absolute best hope/fighting spirit spot I’ve ever seen personally. Fighting from underneath, AJ mounts a good deal of offense on Joe, but nothing he couldn’t shake off, and as he’s setting up for some more, AJ is promptly absolutely lit up by a hellacious lariat by Joe. 1 count. Joe plants him with a sickening sit-out bomb. 1 count. AJ swims with the sharks and for a moment, you believe. And that belief only mounts higher and higher when he gets Joe with the Pele kick and Styles Clash not long after. It’s just electrifying and better yet, still allows a brilliant finish (that I won’t spoil) to not feel bloated in any way.

Generally, the AJ/Joe/Daniels three-way holds more notoriety. I love that match and totally get it, it’s the main event of the Unbreakable PPV, unlike this, it’s a thriller, a breathtaking, bombastic spectacle that not many in history have matched and it was many people’s first true exposure to the guys involved, which only adds to its mystique further and further. However… This is not only a better match, this is not only the best match in TNA’s almost 25 year long history; it has a very strong case for one of the best matches of all-time.

5/5

AJ STYLES & Kurt Angle v. Christopher Daniels & Kazarian (TNA, Jun 10 2012)

Much has changed since December 2005. Both AJ Styles and Samoa Joe have held the World’s Title since, Joe had the ever slight misfortune of Vince Russo completely rejecting him as a top guy and just having him float around, many over-the-hill icons had come to town to put in minimal effort, be unintentionally funny and earn a decent pension. But one thing remained the same — AJ was still the guy that was trusted most, the flagbearer of the whole operation, someone that had an unshakeable reputation and stature no matter what he was doing on the shows and who might’ve beat him before. Which makes the storyline going into this — AJ taunted by Daniels and Kazarian about a secret affair with Dixie Carter — all the more hilarious. Even better, the lads just have A Match which, if you weren’t following the show, you’d think was a sports-style presentation.

They open with a frenetic pace as AJ goes after the champs immediately, similar to the Briscoes tag covered, but this being 9 years later and not set in early ROH, it obviously settles in and is far more grounded. AJ is great as the face in peril building to Angle’s big hot tag, which if you’re even a slight bit familiar with Kurt Angle, you can probably piece together what it looks like. As is with these guys, the work is pristine and so aesthetically pleasing. Angle falls a touch behind in that regard as the wear and tear is really starting to kick in for him going forward, but his motor is still as good as ever. Styles gets a big booming tag of his own, the action really starts to break down, he and Daniels trade punches, which devolves into the ol’ Frye/Takayama spot, which further devolves into headbutts. There is a moment right before the finish where Angle is on the apron reaching out to isolate Kaz after having been in the ring for approximately 2 minutes, which is really funny. AJ soars through the sky for a mesmerising springboard shooting star press to the outside on Daniels, as Angle takes it home with an ankle lock on Kazarian after reversing a Fade to Black attempt to win the tag titles.

A damn good match which I was surprised to find out TNA’s official channel has not uploaded in any form, or at least not to the extent of my digging for it.

3.5/5

AJ STYLES v. Kyle O’Reilly (ROH, Aug 22 2014)

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We arrive in Ring of Honor once more, a whole 11 years and change, Jim Cornette, HDNet deal and Gabe Sapolsky leaving to start EVOLVE later, as AJ Styles embarks on what would be a career-defining run touring the world, becoming the top gaijin in NJPW by winning the IWGP Heavyweight Title in shocking fashion. The mid 2010s are a moment in time for wrestling globally that will just never be replicated again, not with 2 major US promotions ready to pounce on any talent with a pulse, not with a diminished indie scene and not with a Puro scene struggling from an economic and financial standpoint. To not get romantic about this, the circumstances and events that snowballed the boom into effect are not exactly ideal and I’m more than glad the boys are getting paid well now, but it was still the best of times. AJ is set to face the hotshot Kyle O’Reilly, who has more than made his name as a tag wrestler as part of reDRAGON here with Bobby Fish, going into this match as the tag team champs and as part of Future Shock with Adam Cole, but the question is — can he swim with a shark quite like The Phenomenal One?

Immediately, a thing to note with this being set in a small room, there is SUCH an energy shift once Demigods plays and AJ walks through the curtain. He is so big time, a world-renowned top guy, an NWA World Heavyweight Champion in the 70s and 80s-like mystique — it’s basically as if Jesus came down and made that walk, a remarkable thing. And AJ himself sports that energy brilliantly in this match, a true mountain of a man for O’Reilly to topple. Speaking of which, this is a hell of a showing from KOR, who still had his ways to go as a singles guy (would never amount to a truly great one for me, always preferred him working tags), but here he reaches heights I don’t think he ever quite touches again, sans maybe the recent Jon Moxley series. He is brilliant at viciously targeting and attacking AJ’s left arm and it’s the right play call for someone who would probably struggle otherwise to fill in the space and time. Bobby Fish causes havoc ringside, raising the anti and is good here for what it’s worth. AJ is in full Ace mode here and as such, at no point does he feel a step behind Kyle despite all the attacks. In that sense it’s comparable to Bret Hart, always finding a logical solution and making the most out of a predicament, like for example the modified Styles Clash out of the triangle choke, which he buys some valuable time with despite not being able to attempt a pinfall. Clobbering ensues and it goes without saying it is just properly grimy (and perfectly placed within the match, something becoming more and more lost with time). After the double down, AJ unloads everything in the most emphatic “Not today, kid” manner possible, from a rolling lariat to a sheer drop brain buster, but O’Reilly doesn’t go down without a fight (his selling is a touch loose honestly, my only gripe with this match), locking in a guillotine choke just as Styles sets up for a Styles Clash, but he is promptly disposed to the mat and back up for that disgusting Hollow Point/SC combo that earns AJ the win at last.

This is a fantastic match that really defines a lot of what made this time in wrestling special for so many people around the world, something that will stand the test of time no matter what.

4.5/5

AJ STYLES v. Kazuchika Okada (NJPW, Jul 05 2015)

AJ Styles continues on his journey and reign as Bullet Club kingpin and now 2 time IWGP Heavyweight champion as Kazuchika Okada seeks for redemption, seeks to reclaim what was lost to the aforementioned Phenomenal One and ultimately seeks to claim an undisputed top spot in the promotion. He goes into this bout 1–3 against the man opposite of him, with their most recent clash resulting in Okada’s first victory.

Something I have to note immediately, this match took some readjusting from my part, as it is slightly bizarre to jump back in a time where Kazuchika Okada was in fact, chasing and being portrayed very sympathetically compared to what we have seen over the past few years, what we witnessed just recently at the Tokyo Dome and what is for me the Okada I love the most — a dominant figure and a complete and utter prick to boot. They do enough to make it serviceable as they are remarkably great wrestlers. The early portions of this get a little too cute with the Bullet Club ejection and Red Shoes being all theatrical about it, but we get properly rolling after that. AJ coasts early because he has his crew, but once gone from the frame, he is as spiteful and as prickly as ever, once again firing on all cylinders. A great sense of desperation from him at every turn in this, knowing that the walls are closing in for him as the top dog. For the most part, this is a mid 2010s NJPW main event and you know what you’re getting with that, especially when you put talents of this calibre in the ring. It features great, pristine action, paces quite well, despite the early goings, escalates even better and has a tremendous finish. To Okada’s credit, he does find just about the right attitude at the closing stretch to really match what is at stake and how he is portrayed. Still, the triumph does not come off as great as it should and what Okada would embark on going forward is a far more intriguing and engaging version of him than this.

All of what I just said might sound like I am a little down on the match and yeah, it is not as breathtaking as Tanahashi in the G1 that very summer, not as gnarly as the Suzuki match in the prior G1, but it is still obviously a great time.

4/5

AJ STYLES v. Shane McMahon (WWE, Apr 2 2017)

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We are well over a year into AJ Styles’ WWE career and what he has accomplished in such a short amount of time is just another testament to his greatness. He debuted at the Royal Rumble, skipping Paul’s R̶O̶H̶/̶P̶W̶G̶ ̶l̶i̶t̶e̶ NXT unlike other “international stars” that they had signed in the past 2 years, had a killer series with Roman Reigns, a critically-acclaimed feud with John Cena spanning over 6 months, won the (proper) World Title, ran SmackDown Live like the Navy, hence “Face That Runs The Place” and “The House That AJ Styles Built” and ultimately dropped the belt to Cena at this year’s Royal Rumble, who himself made history, tying the record for most title reigns in doing so. I’m indifferent to John Cena but he will always have a lot of respect on my part for practically immortalizing two of my favourite wrestlers of all time in CM Punk and AJ Styles. With all that said, you would think AJ gets a marquee match at WrestleMania. Well, you have to remember this is the now world-renowned Brian James of WWE Unreal fame we are dealing with, so naturally, he should feud the commissioner for not giving him a match at WrestleMania. Who is the babyface. Who beats him up in the angles leading to this. And they go 50/50. This is the best wrestler in the world, facing a commissioner who hasn’t wrestled since last year.

Moving past my booking gripes, this match is a hoot. There is nothing more aesthetically pleasing in wrestling than a stadium show before the sun sets. It is no different here and the stage for this Mania is also just wonderful, shame that this is the era of 9-hour-long shows otherwise it would be far more revered in circles. I love AJ’s gear for this match too and he looks cool as hell with the wind blowing his hair. The bell rings, Shane takes an early shine, which again, the babyface/heel dynamic is a lot, only aided by how hilarious Shane looks when making his little comebacks. AJ gets back in the ring and just uncorks a mean right hand and in response, Shane starts throwing the loosest strikes known to mankind, to the point they’re more charming than just flat out bad. They get even funnier when he does all the windups for them. AJ here is still in best in the world form, an ongoing peak since 2014 that has shown no evidence of slowing down up to this point, just completely mastering execution, can make any guy look a million bucks, you name it. For what it’s worth and I’ll more than give Shane credit for this, he is 50 years old with practically no reps having a straight-up singles match and keeps up relatively well with someone as dynamic as AJ Styles, still bumps big for AJ’s offense and such. But obviously, the real juice and what everyone anticipates in Shane’s matches is him crashing and burning. He squeezes everything he can out of an AJ baseball slide, going over the announce table and even hitting his shins on the barricade. After the dueling Coast to Coast attempts in which our SmackDown Live commissioner and hero gets the better of AJ, he disposes him to the announce table, goes to the top rope for an elbow drop which AJ ducks and then the crown jewel present in all of his matches that I don’t know how he never obliterated his entire lower body for, the missed shooting star press that he lands directly on his knees for, to which AJ sets up for the Phenomenal Forearm to take home the victory.

Extremely flawed? Yes. Is it to the detriment of it? Somewhat, but it is not a crime in any which way. This is still a hoot like I said and I’d imagine AJ will get his one truly great and defining Mania match one day. Right?

3.5/5

AJ STYLES v. Naomichi Marufuji (NOAH, Jul 13 2024)

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We make our biggest leap yet and to say much has changed since Mania 33 would be an understatement not only for the business itself, but even for AJ Styles. He held the World Title once more for an entire year, feuded with one Daniel Bryan, slowly faded away from the main event scene, was heavily rumoured to sign with the then newly founded All Elite Wrestling to appear on the premiere of Dynamite, continued on his journey in the WWE nonetheless, inevitably lost a step or two at last, had more middling Mania matches and Triple H, after having taken over Vince’s regime, had seemingly no interest to make him a key player again, despite how audiences still treated him as a total rockstar. After many years of floating around like I just mentioned, 2024 felt like a real fleeting “you heard the real music again” moment for AJ Styles. Upon returning in late 2023 after taking some time off, he, uh, got bigger, clearly on a good diet and sported an intensity we hadn’t seen from him in some time. It led to some of his best work this decade and made people believe Cody Rhodes was really as good as he was positioned to be. WWE began a sorta-kinda working relationship with NOAH, a concept that Vince Jr. had dismissed for as long as he had lost his mind as a promoter, which opened up for something like this to be possible and feel really novel, albeit not glossing over what an end goal of this “relationship” would look like. This show also fell on the same day and at the same time as Iyo Sky v. Utami Hayashishita, which marks the only day I’ve ever seen wrestling Twitter actually feel happy.

This match is just as awesome as I remember it to be. One-offs and exhibition type matches can always fall below expectations but this did everything to ensure it’s more than just that. It’s the AJ Styles Show the whole way through, it kind of has to be given the state of Marufuji here and going forward. AJ puts in a genuine all-time great shift for him to back that up in the name of professional pride and wanting to make ol’ Maru feel like a million bucks. As tenacious, gritty and spiteful yet still a technical and visual marvel as he once was at the apex of his career. He milks and feeds the absolute most out of any of Marufuji’s attacks, they exchange some gnarly blows throughout. One of the best things about the match is how close-range and tight everything is kept, a great call. While what used to be an explosive arsenal for Maru isn’t there anymore, for one night only, it still manages to feel like 2006 again for him. Love the moment before the end where Marufuji mounts a series of kicks on AJ, to which he just straight up yells “MOTHERFFF-” in complete fury. Speaking of which, it’s a great finish with a brilliant struggle for the Styles Clash set up.

With each day past, this is just more and more of a miracle with regards to everything. I can never ever doubt someone as remarkable as AJ, but I don’t see how he puts in a performance as truly great as this one was anytime soon. This is not to say he won’t have matches of this calibre again, hell I adore the last Cena match, I think the upcoming Gunther match will be amazing, maybe like I alluded to at the beginning of all this, there is more to this very last chapter of his career, but on this night he felt like the best wrestler in the entire world, once more.

4.5/5

With The Phenomenal One’s impending retirement, whether it is at the time of writing this, mere hours before a “Career” match against Gunther at the Royal Rumble, later this year, or hell, even a year or two down the line although I highly doubt that road, it’s hard not to think this is not only the closing of a chapter for him, but for an entire era he was a massive part of, especially when you think about the names that have also recently departed. I do feel like people take this guy for granted for just how much he has shaped wrestling this century, maybe its because he has always been around and never had to step away for one reason or another unlike say Bryan or Punk, maybe its because of how diminished his role has become in recent years and people just take it as comforting that he’s always present with no actual sign of hanging it up anytime soon (except for heavily alluding to it in interviews, hard to expect these people to read between the lines), I don’t exactly know the answer to that. What I do know is that AJ Styles heavily shaped my tastes in wrestling for good and I’ll always admire the talent he possessed, a real generational artist of the game.