AJ Styles Named PWI Wrestler Of The Decade

A top guy in WWE, TNA, and NJPW? Yeah, this checks out.

AJ Styles
WWE

AJ Styles has just been named Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine's Wrestler of the Decade.

This r/SquaredCircle thread shows the full magazine cover, with 'The Phenomenal One' proudly holding up his award.

It's tough to argue that this isn't well-deserved. Styles has been a top guy in TNA, NJPW, and WWE over the past 10 years. On top of this, he has consistently been amongst the world's most well-rounded performers, has starred in some of the period's most critically-acclaimed matches, and has a good drawing record to boot.

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A cornerstone of TNA/Impact Wrestling until his departure, Styles left when contract talks broke down in 2013. Transitioning to NJPW a few months later saw him positioned as co-leader of the Bullet Club alongside Karl Anderson. He became IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his first match back, besting Kazuchika Okada at Wrestling Dontaku 2014, and left as a two-time champ when WWE came calling in January 2016.

AJ's Royal Rumble 2016 debut was immediately one of the most memorable moments in the event's storied history and he was WWE Champion by the end of the year, firmly establishing him as one of the all-time greats. Now, in 2020, he's on the verge of a WrestleMania 36 dream match vs. The Undertaker and still amongst the most reliable guys in the game.

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Congratulations to Styles on his award.

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.