10 Wrestlers Who Broke Typecasting In The Most Epic Way
5. AJ Styles
AJ Styles has been with WWE long enough now that the novelty has almost worn off, but it can't be understated how much it appeared as though he'd be a modern era Sting as the one Vince McMahon hold-out during his generation's boom period.
Beloved in TNA before a total NJPW rebirth, Styles wasn't a WWE guy under any old definition, and wore the description well as the super-technical superstar that hadn't ever needed McMahon's promotional empire to get across just how 'Phenomenal' he truly was.
Even upon signing in 2016, he did so during a time others had the potential to surpass him. Styles has gone on record to say McMahon wasn't after him just for his in-ring skill, but to challenge what else he could bring to the organisation.
It was all asked and answered within months - Styles assembled an astonishing series with Roman Reigns to get 'The Big Dog's post-WrestleMania WWE Title tenure off to the best possible start and elevated himself in the process.
A made man by the time he claimed the gold that Autumn, Styles second 2017-2018 run was an acknowledgement that he'd become the company's safest pair of hands. Not since Bret Hart's 1994 tenure and McMahon showed faith in someone so unexpectedly.