Monday Night Raw on Netflix ended with a bang. A career celebration for the decorated “Phenomenal One” AJ Styles, near his hometown, closed the show. After his loss to Gunther, in which he put his career on the line against the self-proclaimed “Career Killer,” the WWE Universe witnessed Styles’ last match with the company.
With a packed arena in Georgia, the crowd erupted after a heartfelt speech when the notorious “gong” struck their ears. The “Deadman” shocked the world by riding his motorcycle down to the ring. As the Undertaker stood in the middle of the squared circle, he announced that AJ Styles would be the newest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame!
AJ Styles Before WWE
AJ Styles was one of the biggest names in wrestling outside of the WWE. He began his journey in 1998, high-flying his way through the independents until he made his debut in World Championship Wrestling. Even though, at the time in 2001, WCW was on a sinking ship and way past its heyday of the NWO, the “Phenomenal One” proved he was a bright upcoming star.
He then put Total Nonstop Action on the map as the second-largest promotion in the US. “The face that ran the place” was a six-time X Division Champion and two-time TNA World Champion. This would include legendary rivalries with Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle.
Styles would have an impact in the Far East as well. He became the leader of the infamous Bullet Club in New Japan. He won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in his debut match, solidifying his global wrestling presence. He would win the title one more time, proving he is one of the best wrestlers in the world. According to PWI, he was the absolute best wrestler, ranking number one for 2010.
AJ Styles in WWE
Not too many come to WWE skipping their development system. With no stops at NXT, AJ debuted in the 2016 Royal Rumble to a huge pop. The “Phenomenal One” had finally made it to the biggest wrestling promotion in the world. Entering at number three would just be the beginning for an already legendary career.
Styles spent almost exactly ten years in WWE. Before having his WWE career end at the 2026 Royal Rumble, AJ proved he was absolutely phenomenal. Over his tenure, he was a two-time WWE Champion, three-time United States Champion, two-time Tag Team Champion, and one-time Intercontinental Champion, making him the fifteenth Grand Slam Champion in company history. He also graced the cover of the WWE 2k19 video game.
He also got to mark off main eventing the “Grandest Stage of Them All,” WrestleMania, on his bucket list. Though it was WM 36 during COVID, Styles headlined against the Undertaker in a cinematic Boneyard Match on night one. It probably wasn’t ideal for the competitors, but with the “Deadman’s” character, it just worked, plus we got a great meme out of it.
Final Thoughts
AJ Styles’ impact on wrestling is not only a pun, but it can be described in one word. Phenomenal! He is more deserving than most who get into the Hall of Fame. Styles could be argued to be one of the best in-ring competitors we have ever seen. His high-flying style has influenced an entire generation of new superstars.
I was always hoping that he would win a Royal Rumble and steal the show in the main event of a WrestleMania. He has always been one of my favorites since stepping into WWE. His wrestling career may not be completely over, but his days in the “federation” seem to have come to an end. Now we wait for WrestleMania weekend, where he will truly receive his flowers.
Point of Vision 