AJ Styles Returns To WWE NXT

The Phenomenal One meets the "Absolute Worst".

by Michael Sidgwick
AJ Styles NXT
WWE

As promised, AJ Styles returned to NXT last night - or made his NXT 2.0 debut, to be pedantic.

His appearance furthered the umbrella storyline that began at WarGames - of the younger generation of talent feuding with the old guard in a generational battle.

Styles played babyface for the first time in a while, cutting a productive promo in which he put over Bron Breakker, Tony D'Angelo and Carmelo Hayes as the future while, at the same time, creating conflict with Grayson Waller by claiming he didn't see their potential in the man presently marketed as the biggest heel of the brand. The verbal segment was strong by 2.0's risible standards, and ended when Waller, cowering from the challenge, revealed that he'd see to AJ once Omos was done with him on RAW.

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This appears to set up a match between the two at some point in January, which is some display of commitment in the Waller character. He's a telegenic, obnoxious and cocksure presence with a decidedly less 'FCW' move-set to some of his greener peers.

In short, this was a decent and committed piece of business.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!