After the collapse of WCW and disappearance of ECW, there were very few options remaining for those looking to make a full-time stab at pro wrestling. The then-WWF was really the only place to make decent money, which led to several tryout matches for fledgling talent looking to sign a deal with the juggernaut promotion. AJ Styles was one of those men. In 2001, he worked a fair few dark matches before television tapings. Further to that, Styles also worked opposite The Hurricane for an episode of WWF Metal. To his credit, Shane Helms allowed his young charge to look mildly strong in the match, before inevitably beating him. It was a good showing, but didn't lead to a WWF contract for AJ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1h3JCirtuU Worries would have existed over how Styles might have been used by the promotion anyway, and he later found his feet in TNA. Nonetheless, 2016 won't be the first time the man enters a WWF/WWE ring. He's friendly with many in the company, including the likes of Ric Flair, which could work well in his favour.
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.
