AJ Styles In WWE - What Went RIGHT?

Based on Vince McMahon's aforementioned assessment, it seems as though AJ Styles' main roster debut was based more on timing than talent. News of his impending arrival alongside fellow New Japan Pro Wrestling stalwarts Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows travelled fast in 2016. The four all worked Wrestle Kingdom 10 on January 4th in high profile spots, and it was perhaps this that convinced WWE that NXT wasn't a necessary step for the trio that later became 'The Club'.

But whilst 'The King Of Strong Style' was made to ascend to an entirely different throne in the company's developmental league and AJ's goodbrothers would have to wait until after WrestleMania, 'The Phenomenal One' himself popped the Orlando boys in what proved to be something of a wrestling earthquake.

Entering at #3, his first interaction was a face off with then-WWE Champion Roman Reigns. The red hot response to his arrival (and audible heartbreak upon his elimination) had to prove to McMahon that his gamble had been worth it to some degree, but when his midcard WrestleMania feud with Chris Jericho caused only ripples rather than further eruptions, there was some concern he'd be left to fester underneath home-grown stars rather than fizz atop WWE supercards. TNA loyalists (however many of those were still left) and NJPW fans were quick to tell anybody that would listen that he was the complete performer, but AJ still had to show it. Enter Roman Reigns.

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