8 Wrestlers Who Admitted To Cracking Under Pressure

8. AJ Styles

AJ Styles Shinsuke Nakamura WrestleMania 34
WWE.com

Still one of the finest matches of New Japan Pro Wrestling's ongoing boom period, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura was hailed a Wrestle Kindom masterpiece the moment the final bell rang on 4 January 2016, breeding hopes of a re-run on American soil when both men arrived in WWE soon after.

The fans were made to wait. While AJ landed on the main roster, Nakamura was placed in NXT, exploding to life with an incredible debut against Sami Zayn while Styles quickly orbited WWE Championship contention. Years passed before the opportunity finally arose. Then, with WrestleMania 34 looming, 'The King of Strong Style' won the 2018 Royal Rumble. WWE Champion AJ Styles was finally in his sights.

Disappointment followed. While far from terrible, WM34 and the ensuing matches couldn't live up to the expectations established at Wrestle Kingdom 10. Styles recently copped to this on WWE's After the Bell podcast. "Expectations are way too high," he said, adding that he knew "Nakamura felt that too."

There's more to it, of course, as WWE's rigid road-agenting system rarely allows for the incandescence of Styles vs. Nakamura I, though said expectations unquestionably contributed. Styles said it himself.

Advertisement
In this post: 
AJ Styles
 
Posted On: 
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.