10 Life-Saving Wrestling Moments

4. AJ Styles Saves James Ellsworth

Braun Strowman
WWE.com

The Styles Clash is a move that is performed against the natural instincts developed from a professional wrestler's training.

There's a natural element of risk to the move accordingly, but again, consider how many wrestlers have taken it safely compared to the string of workers in the mid-2010s that did not. Proportionally, it is a safe move that is taken with the understanding that the chin is not to be tucked. Because wrestling fans like most people are cruel, James Ellsworth failed to tuck his chin in 2016 because guess what lads, he doesn't have one!

Wahey!

The guilty laugh people had when it was established that Ellsworth was OK eventually became less guilty, but regardless: Styles, his senses sharpened by a few disastrous executions of his finish, noticed at the very last moment that the plucky jobber had tucked his head. Styles was mid-leap when he noticed, and with stunning timing, modified his landing and intentionally botched the move to save his opponent.

His friendship group is obsessed with the concept of good-brothering and yes, the odd vile belief aside, AJ proved himself a good brother here.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!