| Allen Jones |
| Statistics |
| Ring name(s) |
Mr. Olympia
Air Styles
A.J. Styles |
| Billed height |
5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Billed weight |
215 lb (98 kg) |
| Born |
June 2, 1978 (1978-06-02) (age 29)
Gainesville, Georgia |
| Trained by |
Rick Michaels |
| Debut |
February 15, 1999 |
Allen Lloyd Jones (born June 2, 1978), better known by his ring name “The Phenomenal” A.J. Styles (also written AJ Styles), is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
//
Career
Allen Jones attended Anderson College in Anderson, South Carolina on a partial wrestling scholarship. During his time at college, he participated in the 1998 NAIA National Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada before leaving Anderson College to pursue his professional wrestling career.
NWA Wildside (1999-2001)
Allen Jones was trained by Rick Michaels and debuted on February 15, 1999 in the Georgia-based National Championship Wrestling promotion as Mr. Olympia, losing to Michael Brooks in his first match. He achieved considerable success in NCW, winning both the Television and Lightweight Championships within eight months. In December 1999 NCW merged with NWA Georgia to form NWA Wildside, and Jones was renamed A.J. Styles.
Styles won his second Television Championship on January 11, 2000, defeating K-Krush in Cornelia, Georgia. He lost the title to Eddie Golden on April 1, and regained it for a third time on January 6, 2001, defeating Air Paris during his only run as a heel in NWA Wildside as a member of attorney Jeff G. Bailey’s NWA Elite stable. His final reign ended on February 21 when he lost to Robbie Rage in Athens, Georgia.
World Championship Wrestling (2001)
World Championship Wrestling, a global promotion which often recruited talent from NWA Wildside, observed the feud between Styles and Paris, and both men were offered contracts in early-2001. Styles and Paris were placed in a tag team named “Air Raid”, with the gimmick of the team being that both men would dress in G-suits.
Air Raid made appearances on WCW Thunder, and on the March 5, 2001, episode of WCW Monday Nitro they were entered in a tournament for the newly created Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship. They were eliminated from the tournament in the first round by the eventual winners, Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo.
After WCW was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation in March 2001, Styles was left without a job. He returned to NWA Wildside, this time competing for the Wildside Heavyweight Championship, and wrestled several matches for the WWF on WWF Jakked, his most circulated and famous match from those tapings being against Gregory Helms as The Hurricane. Styles was offered a developmental deal by the WWF in April 2002. The offered contract was for $500 USD per week, and required Styles to relocate to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the Heartland Wrestling Association developmental territory was located. He declined to sign, reasoning that he could earn more money on the independent circuit, and that moving would interfere with his wife’s college plans.[citation needed].
World Wrestling All-Stars (2002)
Styles toured Australia with the short-lived World Wrestling All-Stars (WWA) promotion in April 2002. He made his pay-per-view debut at WWA: The Eruption on April 13 in Melbourne, defeating Nova and Jerry Lynn in a one-night four man tournament to become the WWA International Cruiserweight Champion. He later vacated the title.
NWA Wildside (2001-2005)
Following his stint in World Championship Wrestling, Styles returned to Wildside and began pursuing the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Championship, then held by his trainer and mentor, “The Original Chosen One” Rick Michaels. He defeated Michaels for the title on December 22, 2001, at Christmas Chaos using a top rope Styles Clash. While champion, Styles engaged in a rivalry with former manager Jeff G. Bailey’s copycat version of Styles, “The Role Model” Jason Cross, who debuted as a total clone of Styles, all the way down to his in-ring attire and finishing move (this angle was later partially reused on a larger scale by Ring of Honor, with Jimmy Rave acting as Styles’s doppelgänger).
Styles lost the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Championship to David Young in a three way dance that also included Rick Michaels on March 23, 2002 at Hardcore Hell. Shortly thereafter, Styles signed a contract with NWA:TNA and only returned to Wildside for sporadic special appearances due to an increase in his higher profile bookings. These special appearances reached an apex at Freedom Fight in July 2002, where Styles was the final man entered into the “Holy Wars” steel cage match for the Wildside Championship. The then-TNA X Division Champion, Styles was pinned by long-time rival “All That” Adam Jacobs. He made several more appearances throughout 2002, defeating Sonny Siaki, Jorge Estrada, and Jacey North in various one on one encounters.
In March 2003, Styles defeated former rival Ron Killings at Hardcore Hell. In October 2003 he headlined another Wildside card, facing “The Soul Assassin” Rainman. Styles had been the NWA World Heavyweight Champion at the time of booking, and this was scheduled to be a title match, but Jeff Jarrett defeated Styles for the title just three days prior to the scheduled bout. As a result, Jarrett agreed to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in a three way match. However, Jarrett withdrew from the event at the last minute, leaving Styles and Rainman to fight one another in a non-title match which was won by Rainman following interference from Jeff G. Bailey. Styles defeated David Young at Christmas Chaos in December 2003. On March 26, 2004 at the two-night Hardcore Hell event he defeated his protégé, “Kool” Seth Delay in an impromptu match, then teamed with Gabriel and Altar Boy Luke (with Dusty Rhodes in their corner) to defeat Rainman, Azrael and “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels in a six man tag team main event on the following night.
After an absence of almost one year, Styles returned to Wildside on March 25, 2005, losing to Wildside mainstay David Young in a match that received a standing ovation from fans in attendance. After this match, Styles presented an award to Wildside Promoter Bill Behrens, along with David Young and Rick Michaels. This was his final Wildside appearance.
Ring of Honor
2002 – 2004
Styles debuted in Ring of Honor at their third show, A Night of Appreciation, in 2002. He quickly became a main event wrestler, competing against Low Ki for ROH Championship at Honor Invades Boston. After failing to win the title, he became the first holder of the “No. 1 Contender’s Trophy”, which was viewed as a second title at the time. At the One Year Anniversary Show in February 2003, Styles competed against Low Ki and Paul London in a three-way match, with the winner receiving a shot at the ROH Championship later that night. London won the match but failed to defeat Xavier for the championship. After the show, Styles and London agreed to form a tag team and compete for the ROH Tag Team Championship.
Set to compete for the number one contendership for the titles at the following show, London was unable to attend after having emergency sinus surgery the day before. Instead, Styles competed by himself and defeated The Backseat Boyz, The SAT and The Carnage Crew to receive a title shot. He chose Amazing Red as his partner, and the two defeated The Prophecy (Christopher Daniels and Xavier) for the championship. When London return, he was upset when Styles chose to remain a team with Red instead of forming one with him. The two would go on to wrestle against each other at Night of the Grudges, with the match ending in a draw.
Styles and Red, as the ROH Tag Team Champions, would go on to wrestle and defeat the Briscoe Brothers on three separate occasions. However, the duo would not be so lucky against The Prophecy. At Wrath of the Racket, Jim Cornette made his first appearance in ROH and aligned himself with Christopher Daniels and Dan Maff. During intermission, he convinced the two to attack Amazing Red, who was already suffering from a knee injury, while he was signing autographs. With Red unable to compete, Styles chose Maff’s former trainer Homicide as his partner, and the two defeated The Prophecy. Styles would then have to vacate the title due to Red being sidelined with his knee injury.
After his reign as one half of the ROH Tag Team Champions, Styles took on fellow Georgia wrestler Jimmy Rave as his protégé. While coaching Rave, who was competing in the “Field of Honor” tournament, Styles attempted to become the ROH World Champion. He defeated Bryan Danielson at Main Event Spectacles to become the number one contender for the title. At War of the Wire, Styles challenged Samoa Joe for the title, but was once again unable to win it.
ROH gold would not remain out of Styles’ hands for long. At the Second Anniversary Show, he competed in a one night tournament to become the first Pure Wrestling Champion. He defeated his protégé Jimmy Rave in the first round, Matt Stryker in the second, and CM Punk in the finals to become the first championship. His title reign, however, would be short lived. Not long after the Second Anniversary Show, ROH’s owner Rob Feinstein was caught by an internet sting trying to solicit sex from a minor. This scandal caused tensions between ROH and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where Styles was under contract. Despite this, Styles returned to ROH at the following show, At Our Best, and defeated CM Punk in a rematch with Ricky Steamboat as the guest referee. The match turned out to be Styles final match in ROH for 2004, as TNA withdrew all their contracted wrestlers from ROH. Styles left the company and vacated the Pure Wrestling Championship.
2005 – 2006
In the summer of 2004, Styles’ protégé Jimmy Rave was “fired” by Ring of Honor due to not winning any matches. He was brought back to the company by Prince Nana, and became known as “The Crown Jewel of The Embassy”. He would then begin to use the Rave Clash (better known as the “Styles Clash”) as a finisher, claiming AJ stole it from him. Eventually, Styles had enough and returned to Ring of Honor for one night only, at the Third Anniversary Celebration: Part Two, to wrestle Rave. Styles was unsuccessful in defeating Rave, who won after he sprayed air freshener in Styles’ eyes.
Several months later, Styles returned to wrestling for Ring of Honor full time. He made his return at Death Before Dishonor III defeating fellow TNA wrestler Petey Williams, who was brought in by Prince Nana to face Styles instead of having Jimmy Rave fight him. Styles would get a match, and a win, against Rave at the following show. However, Rave would get the last laugh when, after losing, he put a plastic bag over Styles and attempted to suffocate him.
During his feud with Jimmy Rave and The Embassy, Styles would form an alliance with Generation Next, who were also feuding with The Embassy due to their former leader Alex Shelley joining them. Styles first defeated Generation Next member Roderick Strong at Fate of an Angel in mid-July. The following show, Styles faced, and lost to, Jimmy Rave in a street fight. Following the match, Styles was attacked by The Embassy, with Rave hitting the Rave Clash on him. Austin Aries and Roderick Strong attempted to come to his aid, but they were fought off.
Styles took a night off from his feud with The Embassy, when he was chosen by Ring of Honor to face CIMA, who was visiting from Dragon Gate in Japan, at Dragon Gate Invasion. However, Styles was unsuccessful in defeating him. The following show, Glory by Honor IV, Styles once again faced of against Jimmy Rave, with this match having a special stipulation: the loser could no longer use the Rave/Styles Clash in Ring of Honor. With Mick Foley in his corner, Styles hit Rave with the Styles Clash off of the second rope, through a table to win the match.
Styles would then take a short break from ROH before returning at This Means War in late October. He defeated Generation Next leader Austin Aries, who was attacked by The Embassy following the show. The following show, Aries defeated the former Generation Next leader Alex Shelley. Following the match, he was attacked by The Embassy, until Generation Next member Matt Sydal and AJ Styles came to his aid. Later that night, Styles and Sydal defeated Embassy members Jimmy Rave and Abyss in a tag match. At Vendetta, Styles had his final match against The Embassy when he, along with Austin Aries, Jack Evans and Matt Sydal were defeated by Rave, Shelley, Abyss and Prince Nana in an eight–man tag match.
Following his feud with The Embassy, AJ Styles set his sights on winning a Ring of Honor title. At A Night of Tribute, Styles faced Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal in a triple threat match, with the winner receiving a shot at the ROH World Championship later that night. Daniels won the match, but was unable to defeat Bryan Danielson for the title later that night. On the first show of 2006, Styles wrestled and defeated Matt Sydal. Following the match, the two agreed to form a tag team and challenge for the ROH Tag Team Championship, which were held by Sydal’s Generation Next teammates Austin Aries and Roderick Strong. Before receiving a shot at the tag team titles, Styles received a shot at the ROH World Championship when he was handpicked by Danielson. Despite having won both of his previous encounters against Danielson in ROH, Styles was unable to defeat him for the title.
At the Fourth Anniversary Show, Styles and Sydal received their shot at the ROH Tag Team Championships, but were unable to defeat the champions. Following the match, Aries and Strong were attacked by the Briscoe Brothers, who had made their return to ROH for the first time since 2004. Styles and Sydal came to their aid, and chased away the Briscoes. Styles and Sydal continued to team together and, at Dragon Gate Challenge in late March, the two defeated Dragon Kid and Genki Horiguchi, members of the Do FIXER stable in Dragon Gate. The following night, the two defeated the ROH Tag Team Champions in a non–title match. However, Styles was not a successful in by himself the next night, when he was pinned by Samoa Joe in a four–corner survival match that also included Christopher Daniels and Jimmy Yang.
Styles would then appear less and less in Ring of Honor. After a four month absence, Styles returned at Death Before Dishonor IV, defeating ROH up-and-comer Davey Richards. Styles would return to Ring of Honor at Time to Man Up, losing to Samoa Joe. In a pre-taped promo, Styles said he would be taking several months off from Ring of Honor following the match. However, ROH commentators continually referred to the match as his final match, and even played a special tribute to him following the match. Since then AJ Styles has not returned to Ring of Honor.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2002
In May 2002, Styles was signed to a non-exclusive contract by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and dubbed “The Phenomenal” A.J. Styles (a sobriquet originally coined by NWA Wildside commentator Dan “The Dragon” Wilson). He appeared on the first weekly TNA pay-per-view, teaming with Jerry Lynn and Low-Ki and losing to the Flying Elvises (Jorge Estrada, Sonny Siaki and Jimmy Yang) after he was pinned by Yang. The following week, on June 26, Styles defeated Lynn, Low-Ki and Psicosis in a double elimination match to become the first ever TNA X Division Champion. He won a second title on the third TNA pay-per-view, teaming with Jerry Lynn and defeating Lenny Lane and Bruce in the finals of a tournament for the vacant NWA World Tag Team Championship.
Styles successfully defended both his titles in the following weeks, but began to bicker with the veteran Lynn during their matches together. On August 14, he and Lynn fought Ron Killings and Jeff Jarrett to a no-contest, and the titles were held-up as a result. The following week, he and Lynn fought one another in a Falls Count Anywhere Match (which was won by Lynn), a No Disqualification Match (which was won by Styles) and a ten-minute Iron Man match, which ended in a draw after both men scored three pinfalls. On August 28, Styles defended the X Division Championship against Lynn and Low-Ki in a ladder match, and lost his title to Lynn.
Recruiting Mortimer Plumtree and Sonny Siaki as allies, Styles continued to feud with Lynn in successive weeks. On October 23, he defeated Syxx-Pac for the X Division Championship, thus becoming a two-time champion. He lost the title to Lynn a second time on November 6, and tried unsuccessfully to regain it throughout the remainder of the year.
2003
In 2003, Styles began focusing on the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. After defeating David Flair on January 15 to become the number one contender, Styles recruited the help of Larry Zbyszko and joined Vince Russo’s Sports Entertainment Xtreme faction. Styles faced NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett on February 19, but was defeated. In the course of the match, Styles turned face, attacking S.E.X. as they tried to interfere on his behalf because he did not want to win in that manner.
Styles feuded briefly with Raven and Glenn Gilberti before forming a new tag team with D’Lo Brown in April 2003. During their time together, Styles learned the frog splash (Art Barr version) from D’Lo, and D’Lo likewise picked up A.J.’s suicide plancha. The tag team amiably disbanded on May 28 so that both men could pursue the NWA World Heavyweight Championship once again. They fought one another on June 4 in a number one contendership match which was won by Styles, and on June 11 Styles faced Jarrett and Raven in a three-way match for the Heavyweight Championship. Styles won the match and the title (becoming the first TNA Triple Crown winner in the process) after Vince Russo entered the ring and struck Jarrett with a guitar, then celebrated with Russo following his victory, thus turning heel once again. On June 18, 2003, at the first TNA anniversary show, Jarrett and Sting defeated Styles and his mystery partner, Syxx-Pac.
Throughout July 2003, Styles successfully defended his title in matches with D’Lo Brown. Throughout the remainder of his reign, he defeated a myriad selection of opponents before losing the title to Jarrett on October 22. Following his loss, Styles reverted to being a face, while Jarrett became a heel. Despite Jarrett’s demand that Styles return to the X Division, Styles continued to pursue the World Heavyweight Championship. On November 12, he teamed with Sting to defeat Jarrett and Lex Luger. Styles faced Jarrett for the Heavyweight Championship on December 3, but lost following interference from Kid Kash.
2004
In January 2004, Styles was named “Mr. TNA” by the fans of TNA in an online poll. Styles feuded with Jeff Jarrett and Abyss throughout January and on February 4, after Styles demanded a title shot, Jarrett’s ally Don Callis forced him to team with Abyss in a match with the NWA World Tag Team Champions, Kevin Northcutt and Legend. Abyss hindered Styles’ efforts before abandoning him completely, but Styles managed to defeat both of his opponents nonetheless, thus becoming a two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Abyss as his partner. The following week, Styles defeated Abyss in a match for both tag team titles by disqualification after Jarrett interfered. His victory was overturned by Callis, leading to another match the following week which was won by Abyss after Lex Luger interfered, thus granting Abyss control of both titles. Abyss and Styles continued to feud, and on March 17 Abyss defeated Styles to become the number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
On April 21, Chris Harris, scheduled to face Jarrett in a title match that night, was attacked by Raven. As a result, Vince Russo, by now the TNA Director of Authority, selected Styles to face Jarrett in his place in a steel cage match. When Jarrett tried to hit Styles with his guitar, Russo tried to stop him through the cage, allowing Styles to get up and shatter the guitar mid-swing with a Pele kick. Styles pinned Jarrett to become a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion. He successfully defended the title in matches with Ron Killings, Raven and Chris Harris, and on May 19 he defended against all three men in a four-way title match. Styles lost his title to Killings after Jarrett interfered in the match, hitting him with a guitar. On June 2, all five men fought for the title in a King of the Mountain match which was won by Jarrett.
Styles returned to the X Division shortly thereafter, winning a four-way match to become the number one contender to the X Division Championship on the June 4 episode of TNA iMPACT!. On June 9, he defeated Frankie Kazarian to become a three-time X Division Champion. In the following weeks, Styles feuded with Kid Kash and Dallas while successfully defending his title in matches with Kazarian and Mr. Aguila. An additional match on June 23 with the debuting Jeff Hardy was interrupted by Kash and Dallas. On July 28, he defended the title against Kazarian and Michael Shane in an Ultimate X match. After Kash struck Styles with a crutch, Shane and Kazarian simultaneously retrieved the belt and became co-X Division Champions.
After several abortive attempts to regain the title, Styles fought Kash in a number of matches, culminating on September 8 in a tables match which was won by Styles. In October he began feuding with Petey Williams, by now the TNA X Division Champion, and on November 7 at Victory Road 2004, the first monthly pay-per-view held by TNA, Styles challenged Williams for the X Division Championship. During the weeks preceding the match, Styles even went as far as to use Williams’ own finisher, the Canadian Destroyer, after Williams himself performed the Styles Clash on others. Williams retained his title with the help of his manager, Scott D’Amore. Later that night, Jeff Jarrett retained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in a ladder match with Jeff Hardy after Scott Hall and Kevin Nash interfered in the match. Following the bout, the trio proclaimed themselves to be the “Kings of Wrestling” and issued an open challenge to the rest of the TNA roster. Several wrestlers charged the ring in response to the challenge, including the 3Live Kru, Randy Savage and Styles.
On the November 12 episode of TNA iMPACT!, Styles and Jeff Hardy teamed together to defeat The Naturals. Following the match, they were attacked by the Kings of Wrestling. After several more confrontations, Hardy, Styles and Savage teamed together to face the Kings of Wrestling at Turning Point 2004 on December 5. Despite Savage not appearing until late in the match, the Kings of Wrestling were defeated when Savage entered the match and rolled-up Jarrett.
2005
Styles returned to the X Division in 2005, and at Final Resolution on January 16, he won the X Division Championship for a fourth time in an Ultimate X match, defeating Chris Sabin and the reigning champion, Petey Williams. On the January 21 episode of iMPACT!, Christopher Daniels accused Styles of “ducking him” (Styles and Daniels had never fought one another in a singles match in TNA). After Daniels challenged Styles to a match at the next monthly TNA pay-per-view, TNA Director of Authority Dusty Rhodes announced that Styles and Daniels would fight that day, with Daniels receiving a title shot if Styles could not defeat him within ten minutes. Daniels lasted ten minutes, and subsequently faced Styles in a thirty-minute iron man match for the X Division Championship at Against All Odds in which ended in a draw with both men having scored a single pinfall. Dusty Rhodes restarted the match, albeit with “sudden death” rules, and Styles defeated Daniels to retain his title.
The feud between Styles and Daniels continued, and at Destination X on March 13, Styles lost his title in an Ultimate X Challenge against Daniels, Ron Killings and Elix Skipper. Skipper eliminated Killings and Daniels eliminated Skipper, thus reducing the match to a singles contest. With the referee unconscious, Styles was able to retrieve the belt, but Daniels knocked him out with the Angel’s Wings and then embraced the title belt. When the referee recovered shortly thereafter, he saw both men prone but Daniels with the title belt, and awarded the match and the X Division Championship to Daniels.
Having lost the X Division Championship, Styles began feuding with Abyss. At Lockdown, he defeated Abyss in a steel cage match to become the number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Styles went on to defeat the defending champion, Jeff Jarrett, at Hard Justice on May 15. After Jarrett pushed the special guest referee, cage fighter, Tito Ortiz, Ortiz knocked him down with a punch, enabling Styles to hit his Spiral Tap maneuver and pin Jarrett for his third NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Styles lost the title at Slammiversary to Raven in a King of the Mountain match against Sean Waltman, Raven, Monty Brown and Abyss.
On the July 1 episode of iMPACT!, Styles was involved in a confrontation with Sean Waltman. They faced one another at No Surrender in a match which was refereed by Jerry Lynn, who had teamed with and fought against both men in the past. The match was won by Styles after Lynn prevented Waltman from cheating. Styles then returned to his perennial pursuit of the X Division Championship, entering the TNA 2005 Super X Cup Tournament, which granted the winner a shot at the X Division Championship. Styles defeated Matt Bentley in the quarter-finals and Petey Williams in the semi-finals, but lost to Samoa Joe at Sacrifice. However, as Christopher Daniels (the reigning X Division champion) had interfered in the match, TNA Director of Authority Larry Zbyszko added Styles to the resultant title bout. On September 11 at Unbreakable, Styles defeated Samoa Joe and Daniels in a three-way match to become the TNA X Division Champion for a fifth time. This match was the last match of the night and is considered by many one of the greatest matches in TNA history. In addition to being rated a 5 Star Match by Dave Meltzer, this match also finished as the first runner up for Pro Wrestling Illustrated Match Of The Year honors making it the highest finish ever for a TNA match in that category.
On the inaugural episode of iMPACT! on October 1, Styles, in his match against Roderick Strong, would perform his signature no-hands somersault plancha over the top rope onto Strong on the outside of the ring. While executing the move, Styles’ feet went over the guard rail surrounding the ring, and the heel of one of his boots struck an audience member, Ryan Jevec, in the face. Jevec received minor medical treatment for a black eye backstage, but was back in the audience within minutes.
On the November 19 episode of iMPACT!, Styles challenged Samoa Joe to a match at Turning Point, claiming that Joe had broken the X Division “code of respect” by assaulting his partner, Christopher Daniels, following their match at Genesis. Joe defeated Styles at Turning Point, thus becoming the new X Division Champion.
2006
Styles won the 2005 Mr. TNA award (for the third consecutive time). During the ceremony the plaque was stolen by Shannon Moore. Styles successfully defeated New Japan Pro Wrestling wrestler Hiroshi Tanahashi in an “International X Showcase” match at Final Resolution. Shannon Moore interfered during the match, hitting Tanahashi accidentally with the plaque, allowing Styles to score his Styles Clash finisher for the victory. After the match, Tanahashi returned the plaque to Styles, but Moore stole the plaque back.
At Against All Odds, Styles and Daniels challenged Samoa Joe for the X Division Championship in a rematch of Unbreakable. Styles lost the bout when he was given a Muscle Buster by Joe, who then pinned him to retain. Samoa Joe defended the X Division Championship against Styles and Daniels in an Ultimate X match at Destination X and lost the belt to Daniels.
At Lockdown, Styles, Ron Killings, Rhino and Sting faced Jeff Jarrett, America’s Most Wanted and Scott Steiner in a Lethal Lockdown match. In the course of the match, Styles placed James Storm on a table atop the cage and then climbed a ladder to a light fitting near the ceiling of the arena, then delivered a splash to the supine Storm, driving him through the table. Sting’s team won the bout after Sting forced Chris Harris to submit.
Styles went on to join forces with Christopher Daniels and challenge America’s Most Wanted for the NWA World Tag Team Championship. After losing to America’s Most Wanted in title matches on two occasions, Styles and Daniels won the NWA World Tag Team Championship at Slammiversary. The win made Styles both a three-time tag team champion and a three time Triple Crown Champion.
On an episode of TNA iMPACT!, Styles and Daniels introduced contracts for all tag teams on the TNA roster, which sparked a rivalry with the Latin American Exchange, who signed the contracts for a match at Hard Justice which Styles and Daniels won. On the August 24 episode of iMPACT!, Homicide and Hernandez defeated Styles and Daniels in a border brawl to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. At No Surrender Styles and Daniels defeated LAX in a Tag-Team Ultimate X Match to regain the titles after Styles hit a Styles Clash on Homicide through a table allowing his tag partner Christopher Daniels to capture the hanging belts. They lost the titles back to LAX at Bound for Glory in a Six Sides of Steel match after Homicide hit the Gringo Killer on Styles as Daniels was tied up to the cage by Konnan with a coat hanger.
On the November 2 edition of iMPACT!, he pinned Chris Sabin to begin his sixth reign as the new X Division Champion and breaking his own record as having the most reigns. The match was also the quarter-finals of the Fight For The Right tournament for #1 Contendership to Sting’s NWA World Heavyweight Championship. On the November 9 iMPACT!, Styles won the semi-final match, but was pinned in the finals by Abyss after interference by Christian Cage and Sabin.
On the November 16 edition of iMPACT!, the show’s debut in primetime, Styles lost the TNA X Division Championship to Daniels in a 3-way match when Daniels scored the rollup pinfall on Chris Sabin while Styles was outside of the ring dealing with Christian Cage.
At Genesis, A.J. Styles lost to Christian Cage via rollup. Christopher Daniels attempted to stop Christian Cage from using a steel chair in the match, which led to Styles rolling up Cage, which Cage reversed for a rollup of his own and the 3 count. After the match, Styles and Daniels shared harsh words, which led to Rhino coming to the ring to settle things. A.J. Styles refused to shake Daniels’ hand and walked away. A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels teamed up for the last time on the Thanksgiving Day edition of iMPACT!, defeating The Naturals. After the match, Rhino came out to the ring to raise both of their hands. A.J. pulled his arm away, and left the ring, saying that he was tired of Rhino getting into his business. He yelled at Rhino again during an interview on iMPACT! thus turning heel for the first time since winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in 2003. At Turning Point Styles beat Rhino after faking a knee injury and rolling him up for the pin.
On an episode of iMPACT!, Styles teamed up with Samoa Joe for the first time to go against Rhino and Kurt Angle. Styles and Joe would win after a roll up pin on Rhino by Styles, but Kurt Angle and Rhino would continue to beat down Styles and Joe. Next week, Styles would team up with James Storm and Chris Sabin to go against Petey Williams, Rhino and his former partner Christopher Daniels. Styles and his team would come out victorious when Styles pinned Daniels.
2007
At Final Resolution, Styles faced Rhino in a Last Man Standing match. After a Gore by Rhino, Styles decided to let Rhino win the match despite the fact that he was almost to his feet at one point. This was due to the fact that Styles saw that Rhino was setting up a table to use on him and didn’t want to continue. Styles continued to feud with Rhino, also finding a temporary partner in NWA World Heavyweight Champion Christian Cage, helping Cage in his feud with Kurt Angle. Styles defeated Rhino at TNA Against All Odds 2007 in a Motor City Chain Match after Rhino missed a Gore.
At Destination X, AJ Styles participated in the first ever Elevation X match against Rhino. The match consisted of a 20 foot tall steel structure of an X that they used to fight each other. Styles took the fall off the Elevation X structure after Rhino hit the Gore on AJ and then stomped on his fingers while AJ was hanging on.
On the following episode of iMPACT!, he tried to assault Rhino, but was unsuccessful. It was later revealed that he was the first member of Christian Cage’s team at Lockdown 2007. At Lockdown, Team Cage was unsuccessful against Team Angle. On the May 31, 2007 edition of Impact he defeated Tomko in a king of the mountain qualifing match.
Wrestling facts
A.J. Styles performs the Super Styles Clash on Petey Williams at Genesis 2005
-
- Styles Clash (Belly to back inverted mat slam)
- Super Styles Clash (Second rope belly to back inverted mat slam)
- Spiral Tap (Somersault corkscrew leg drop or somersault corkscrew senton)
- Frog splash
-
- Cliffhanger (Inverted sitout side powerslam)
- Shooting Styles (Backflip high jump no-hands plancha)
- Pelé Kick (Backflip kick)
- Phenomenon / Stylin’ DDT (Springboard moonsault into inverted DDT)
- Rack Bomb (Torture rack dropped into a torture rack powerbomb)
- Shooting Styles Press (Springboard shooting star press)
- Spine Breaker (Backbreaker into gutbuster)
- Starmaker (High angle belly to back suplex)
- Styles Buster (Feint backdrop wheelbarrow facebuster)
- Styles Suplex Special (Vertical suplex into neckbreaker slam)
- Superman Splash (Springboard 450° splash)
- Kip-up hurricanrana
- Springboard forearm strike
-
- Jeff G. Bailey
- Mick Foley
- Jimmy Hart
- Alexis Laree
- Mortimer Plumtree
- Vince Russo
- Trinity
- Larry Zbyszko
- Christian Cage
- Tomko
-
- “Mr. TNA”
- “Phenomenal”
- “The Phenomenal One”
- “Simply Phenomenal”
- “Just Damn Phenomenal”
- I Am by Dale Oliver 2002 – 2003
- I Am (Phenominal Remix) by Dale Oliver 2003-2007
- I Am (Heel Remix) by Dale Oliver 2007 – current
Championships and accomplishments
-
- AAW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
-
- Natural Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Christian Wrestling Entertainment
-
- CWE Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Christian Wrestling Federation
-
- CWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
-
- ETW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Independent Professional Wrestling
-
- IPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
-
- IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Ted Petty Invitational Tournament Winner in 2004
- International Wrestling Cartel
-
- IWC Super Indies Championship (2 times)
- Independent Wrestling Revolution
-
- IWR King Of The Indies Championship (1 time)
-
- Max-Pro Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
-
- MPW Universal Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- New Korea Pro-Wrestling Association
-
- NKPWA Jr. Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- National Wrestling Alliance
- Regional
-
- NWA Wildside Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Wildside Television Championship (3 times)
-
- PWG World Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
-
- PWI ranked him #13 in PWI 500 list in 2006
-
- ROH Pure Wrestling Championship (1 time)
- ROH Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Amazing Red
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
-
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Jerry Lynn (1), Abyss (1) and Christopher Daniels (2)
- TNA X Division Championship (6 times)
- TNA Triple Crown Championship (3 times)
- “Mr. TNA” in 2003, 2004, and 2005
- TNA Tag Team of the Year in 2006 – with Christopher Daniels
- TNA Match of the Year in 2006 – with Christopher Daniels vs. Latin American Exchange at No Surrender
- World Wrestling All-Stars
-
- WWA International Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
-
- Best Flying Wrestler in 2005
- Five star match: A.J. Styles vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Samoa Joe at TNA Unbreakable on September 11, 2005
Personal life
Styles is a Christian. He is married to Wendy Etris, with whom he has one son, Ajay Covell Jones, born May 3, 2005. The child’s middle name was taken from the real last name of Styles’ good friend and fellow wrestler Christopher Daniels. It was reported on January 14th, 2007 that Wendy is currently pregnant with their second child, due in the summer of 2007. He is an avid video game player who recently mentioned (to PowerSlam Mag) that he does not like SmackDown! games, but only the old N64 AKI wrestling games. His favorite wrestling game is the Japanese Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 for N64.
Media
- A.J. Styles is helping develop the first TNA wrestling video game known as TNA iMPACT! as well as Pro Wrestling X with Wrestling Gamers United.
- In 2004, TNA released Phenomenal: The Best of AJ Styles, a DVD covering A.J. Styles’ best matches. In 2007, TNA released a follow-up DVD, Phenomenal: The Best of AJ Styles, Volume 2.
- Ring of Honor has released two DVDs covering his early career with the company. Evolution of a Phenom: The Best of AJ Styles covers from his debut to mid-2003. The Phenomenon Continues: The Best of AJ Styles Vol. 2 picks up where the last one left off, covering from mid-2003 to his match with CM Punk at the ROH Second Anniversary Show in 2004 (his second to last match before leaving ROH in 2004). He also sat down for a shoot interview along side Christopher Daniels for ROH’s “Straight Shootin’” series.
References
See also
- A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels
External links
- TNA Profile
- A.J. Styles at the Internet Movie Database
Categories: Semi-protected | Articles lacking sources from March 2007 | All articles lacking sources | Articles with unsourced statements since February 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | 1978 births | American Christians | American professional wrestlers | Living people | People from Georgia (U.S. state) | Ring of Honor alumni | Stampede Wrestling alumni | World Champion professional wrestlers | World Championship Wrestling alumni
piledriver 