AJ Styles makes WWE debut at the Royal Rumble (Video)
AJ Styles finally made his WWE debut after much speculation in the Royal Rumble match.
Ever since Wrestle Kingdom 10 wrapped up on Jan. 4, there has been speculation on multiple New Japan stars in AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows coming to WWE. These would be unprecedented free agent signings for WWE, especially given how big of names they are.
It has been predicted that Styles would be the first one to make the jump since his contract is up with NJPW. Anderson and Nakamura’s deals expire in a few weeks while Gallows isn’t under contract, but is still taking dates with Ring of Honor.
On Jan. 16, the Phenomenal One teased involvement at the Royal Rumble at a Revolution Pro Wrestling event in the United Kingdom. This all but gave away that he would be in the match.
Well, it turned out to be true as Styles finally made his WWE debut on Sunday night in the Royal Rumble match. He came out for his entrance and shocked everyone at No. 3.
WHAT?! THE PHENOMENAL @AJStylesOrg is in the #RoyalRumble Match!!! @WWERomanReigns is stunned... pic.twitter.com/SGDw5N95IZ
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2016
Entrant No. 3 in the #RoyalRumble Match is simply #PHENOMENAL! @AJStylesOrg has arrived in @WWE! https://t.co/fjpnn7f6kd
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2016
Going forward, Styles is set to make a huge impact for WWE. He will be a fresh face that will work matches with some of the company’s best and could be geared towards a main event push with many Superstars sidelined. A WrestleMania 32 match could be in his future too to cap off a terrific run over the past few months after wrestling at Ring of Honor’s Final Battle show and Wrestle Kingdom 10.