10 Most Believable Performers In WWE Today

5. AJ Styles

aj styles
WWE.com

AJ Styles, in rejecting a WWE developmental deal in 2001, instead chose an arduous road to wrestling stardom. He felt that he was too small to make an impression. Given that WWE subsequently attempted to push the likes of Heidenreich and Nathan Jones from its developmental system, his decision was an astute one.

He instead toiled in ROH and TNA, the latter of which had no idea what they had in their midst. Styles was subjected to some inconceivably bad booking in TNA's attempt to turn him into a sports entertainer - all for the benefit of an alternative audience who loathed those two words. When Styles, by no means a natural on the microphone, spits fire on WWE television today, it's as if he manifests that ignominy into a chip on his shoulder, rallying against the ghosts of his past.

Styles is equally believable between the ropes. Often the smallest man in any given match, his offence, movement and timing is so explosive that it detonates any preconceived notions about performers of his stature.

A short, southern, slight internet darling, AJ Styles has transcended the typical WWE mould because he is, so evidently, what he says he is: phenomenal.

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Contributor
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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!