Who is AJ Styles?

The wrestling world is buzzing about the potential debut of AJ Styles at the 2016 WWE Royal Rumble, but who is he?

The name on the tongues of pro wrestling fans around the world leading up to the 2016 WWE Royal Rumble is AJ Styles. WWE, superstars, and many others have been teasing that one of the biggest stars from outside of WWE over the past decade will make his debut with the company as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble match. However, those who may not watch wrestling outside of WWE may be wondering who AJ Styles is.

The short of it is that Styles might be the best professional wrestler on the planet right now. In the recently handed out Wrestling Observer awards from the esteemed Dave Meltzer, Styles was given the Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award given to the wrestler of the year for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring of Honor.

Looking through a broader scope, though, the Gainesville, GA born Styles started out working small independent promotions in Georgia. From there, he had a sting with both WCW and WWF that amounted to nothing more than a couple of squash matches.

In 2002, though, Styles started working for Ring of Honor and started rising to prominence in a major way. At the same time, he also began working with TNA where he became an even bigger star as his high-flying style helped revolutionize the company’s X-Division. His stint with ROH paled in comparison to his with TNA that lasted from 2002-13 where he held the X-Division title six times, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice, and numerous other titles throughout his career. Styles was also the first TNA Grand Slam Champion.

As big of a star as he was at that point, though, his popularity and notoriety as a pro wrestler reached new heights when he left TNA and began working with New Japan Pro Wrestling in early 2014. With the departure of Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) to WWE, Styles came into New Japan and took the reigns of the gaijin heel stable Bullet Club. Just over a month after his debut, he captured the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and established himself as arguably the top heel in the company at the time.

His reign as one of the top stars in New Japan and throughout the world at various independent promotions was wildly touted as AJ Styles became arguably the hottest name in pro wrestling, especially outside of WWE.

Though you may have never seen AJ Styles before if you only watch WWE, know that he is worth every bit of the hype that WWE is giving his potential debut with the company. He’s going to be a force from the moment he hits the ring, whether that’s in the Royal Rumble or at another time.