10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (March 11) 

10. AJ Styles Credits Samoa Joe For Changing WWE's Mindset

The rise of AJ Styles throughout 2016 was a thing of beauty for those who have followed his journey through companies like TNA, ROH and NJPW; becoming one of WWE's top performers was never a guarantee for Styles, this despite his world-class abilities between the ropes and under-rated skills on the microphone.

Shortly after AJ made his debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble, it became clear that he'd nestle snugly into the WWE system without having to prove anything in NXT. The same couldn't be said for Samoa Joe, because he was one ex-TNA star who did have to raise eyebrows in NXT first before landing on the main roster.

Appearing on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast, a ponderous Styles was keen to point out Joe's influence on WWE's top brass.

According to AJ, the fact that his Samoan buddy landed in WWE first (Joe debuted in May, 2015) proves that Joe paved the way for upper management to start showing interest in guys like himself; in AJ's words, Joe displayed an excellent attitude, leading to WWE wondering what other former TNA standouts might be like.