Expanding on that point, AJ Styles has more friends who are currently plying their trade in WWE. Back in TNA, one of his favourite opponents to work opposite was Samoa Joe. At the moment, Joe is part of the NXT roster, and he'd be one friendly face for AJ to greet upon entering the WWE system for good. Joe isn't alone in that field, the high-flying Neville is another man that Styles knows fairly well. On the independent scene, the pair worked together on numerous occasions, and often provided thrilling matches. The opportunity to see them do so again on shows like Monday Night Raw and the relaunched Smackdown is intriguing. It looks likely that Samoa Joe will stay firmly rooted in NXT for the time being, but there might be scope for Styles to perform for the developmental brand from time-to-time. Certainly on live events, Styles vs. Joe would be attraction for a certain kind of wrestling fan. That kind of match is exactly the kind of thing which would boost NXT programming too.
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.
