10 Times Wrestlers Abandoned Their Comfort Zone
1. Total Nonstop AJ
It really wasn't that long ago that most thought AJ Styles would never leave TNA.
'The Phenomenal One' became a bonafide star in spite of over a decade of lousy booking, as the company regularly projected their sports entertainment identity crisis onto the most talented performer they'd ever have on the roster.
Securing a reasonable wage and an assured future unlike many within the organisation (and the wrestling industry in general), it was always understandable why Styles remained in stasis with the Orlando outfit, despite the selfish side of every wrestling fan desperately wishing for him to ply his trade elsewhere.
Those wishes unexpectedly came true at the tail-end of 2013, when contract negotiations between Styles and TNA broke down, forging a shocking return to the independent scene for the former Ring of Honor standout. Months later, he'd debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling, becoming IWGP Heavyweight Champion less than a year on from his debut.
Alongside Bullet Club, Styles would dominate the headlines, working incredible high profile contests contests with Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Shinsuke Nakamura and others.
That breathtaking career reinvention lead him to WWE, where he remarkably sits atop the pile as arguably the best wrestler in the world, a past and future World Champion and company leader.