Definition
AJ Styles is the ring name of Allen Neal Jones, an American professional wrestler born in 1977. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of his generation, having performed in virtually every major wrestling promotion in the world: WWE, TNA/Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and various indie circuits. Styles is known for his incredible athleticism, high-flying moves, and a career that spanned nearly two decades before he finally signed with WWE in 2016 — an arrival fans had demanded for years.
Why It Matters
AJ Styles represents the bridge between indie wrestling and mainstream success. Before him, WWE was often criticized for only pushing their “homegrown” talent, while ignoring wrestlers who had built their names elsewhere. Styles broke that mold. He debuted at WWE’s Royal Rumble 2016 and received one of the loudest reactions in modern wrestling history. His success proved that WWE could — and should — sign established indie and international stars. Since then, wrestlers like Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Adam Cole have followed the path Styles helped legitimize. He’s also known for the “Styles Clash” and the “Phenomenal Forearm” — two moves that look like they should break someone’s neck but somehow don’t.
Example
“He watched AJ Styles walk into the WWE Royal Rumble in 2016. The crowd lost their minds. He had been waiting 15 years for this moment. AJ Styles had been a wrestling god in Japan and on the indies, but WWE always pretended he didn’t exist. When his music hit, the arena shook. It was like watching a secret become public.”
Related Terms
- Indie Wrestling — The circuit where AJ Styles built his legend
- WWE — The mainstream promotion he eventually conquered
- TNA — Where Styles was the face of the company for a decade
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling — The Japanese promotion where he became “The Phenomenal One”
- The Styles Clash — His signature, controversial finishing move