10 Reasons AJ Styles Is The Best WWE Signing Of The Decade
7. One For The Little Guy
AJ Styles wasn't the first and thankfully won't be the last performer to succeed in WWE despite a supposed cynicism towards those short in physical stature. Vince McMahon's old litmus test revolved around just how bug-eyed bystanders would be if they saw his superstars walking through an airport. From Hulk Hogan to The Ultimate Warrior to The Warlord, McMahon believed that if the performers could at very least dazzle by doing nothing, they could sell tickets by doing only slightly less on his wrestling show.
He was the first since Daniel Bryan to live out the dreams his supporters always had for him though. Styles had only just lost a WrestleMania programme to Chris Jericho when he entered into a brand new one with Roman Reigns that far surpassed any measured expectations for 'The Big Dog' so soon after his middling 'Mania main against Triple H.
His WWE Title win as a heel later that year confirmed a faith in him that looked far beyond his billed height and weight. Styles' nine month ascension to WWE's highest height was one of the quickest and still felt long overdue thanks to his immense skill. He'll perhaps always have to exist in the shadows of super-heavyweights, but AJ's accelerated commandment of the spotlight so soon was another poignant philosophical shift.