10 Best WWE Matches Of 2016

2. AJ Styles Vs. John Cena (SummerSlam)

6 Charlotte Flair Sasha Banks RAW
WWE.com

Several years ago, it would have been impossible to predict that AJ Styles would beat John Cena at all, let alone on one of the biggest pay-per-view events in history. Styles had already knocked off Cena at Money In The Bank in July, albeit with help from Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

Typically, most assumed Cena would gain revenge at SummerSlam. That didn't happen, as Styles came out on top again. This time, the heel managed to do so cleanly, and he was even booked to kick out of a massive Attitude Adjustment from the top rope.

After failing to win with that move, Cena looked stunned. The crowd were right there with him; nobody expected AJ Styles to survive that particular bump. Not only did AJ survive, he would thrive and pick up another win over WWE's poster boy.

Alongside the rise of women's wrestling in the company, 2016 has been an astonishing year for AJ Styles in WWE. This was a message from those calling the shots: they believed in AJ's abilities and were willing to invest in him as a top name.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.