Once the initial confusion over the new entrance music that was playing subsided, the audience purred when it became clear that AJ Styles was on his way down the aisle. Entering as #3 in the Royal Rumble, the former TNA star was given a respectful amount of time in the ring for his debut. The Rumble was all the better for it. Styles had a hand in 2 eliminations, helping to see off Curtis Axel and Tyler Breeze. It seems the 'Prince Pretty' experiment is firmly over, because Breeze was treated like little more than enhancement talent during his few moments inside the ring. More cheerfully, fans were extremely delighted to see AJ Styles, who looked in great shape and motivated to impress on his first appearance in WWE since 2001. It felt like a remarkable moment, especially for long time TNA enthusiasts, to see one of that promotion's home grown stars feature heavily in WWE's Royal Rumble. If he's given some respect, AJ will be a stellar addition to the WWE main roster. He showed enough during the Rumble to suggest that he has a lot to offer.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
