10 Reasons AJ Styles Is The Best WWE Signing Of The Decade
8. Full Sail Ahead
When AJ Styles entered January 2016's Royal Rumble at #3, the shock and awe from the Orlando crowd came not just because one of their local heroes had finally migrated to the grandest stage. Most just logically assumed he'd first be forced to find his footing down the road.
Fellow TNA alumni Samoa Joe had arrived at Full Sail University in 2015, taking a little while to settle into the rhythm of the of the organisation before finding his voice as a wicked turncoat heel late in the year. It proved useful for the 'Samoan Submission Machine' too - Joe's joie de vivre had been beaten out of him after years of mistreatment in the Impact Zone.
His aforementioned far east excursion had left AJ with no such rust. Quite the opposite in fact. 'The Phenomenal One' was arguably as good as he'd ever been thanks to already-legendary encounters for New Japan Pro Wrestling. His rocket-strapped ascent to the main roster re-blurred the lines about the 'proper' way talent should and could be brought on board, with Styles' skill reminding company heads why each case requires individual and attentive assessment.