AJ Styles will go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, performers of his generation. After a 28-year career that includes legendary runs in TNA, NJPW, and WWE, the word around the industry is that his match on Saturday night at the Royal Rumble will be his last.
While it will disappoint his legion of fans, if this weekend brings his final match in a WWE ring, now seems like the perfect time to take a look back at the moments that made AJ Styles’ time in the top company in the business so legendary.
Debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble
Heading into the 2016 edition of the Royal Rumble, there was a boatload of rumors about several stars from NJPW bringing their talents to WWE. Styles was expected to be one of them. His arrival to WWE was a moment his fans wanted for years.
When he made his debut at that year’s Rumble, the reaction he got from fans showed why he was considered one of the biggest stars in the industry outside WWE. And in the match, he had a strong performance that quickly established him as a star to watch in the years ahead.
Winning His First WWE Title
After the honeymoon period wound down, there were concerns if Styles would be able to reach the main event scene in WWE. However, the company decided to turn him bad in the summer, and it was the best thing for his career.
He quickly became a top heel in the company, and his efforts were rewarded with a moment many doubted would ever happen. And that was becoming the company’s champion by beating Dean Ambrose at Backlash.
Defeating John Cena at SummerSlam 2016
Before he could become WWE champion, AJ Styles needed some key moments that showed his naysayers in the WWE universe that he was a top star. That came at SummerSlam 2016 when he battled the face of the company, John Cena.
Most doubted Cena could hang with “The Phenomenal One” inside the ring. But the duo ended up putting on their first of several classic matches. Furthermore, to the surprise of fans, Styles scored a clean win over his foe. It sent a clear message that WWE finally understood and believed in the talents of the Georgia native.
Boneyard Match Versus the Undertaker at WrestleMania 36
The 2020 edition of WrestleMania was heavily affected by the COVID pandemic. It forced the company to think outside the box for the matches at the event. One of the brilliant ideas for night one of the two-night event was Styles battling the legendary Undertaker in a main event boneyard match.
It was the first time the company tried a cinematic match, and the two WWE greats delivered an epic. It was equal parts violent and entertaining. In what was supposed to be ‘Taker’s retirement match, Styles was the perfect baddie to help send the “Deadman” off with one of the best matches in ‘Mania history.
Becoming a Grand Slam Champion at WrestleMania 37
Over his many years in the company, AJ Styles won gold several times. However, at WrestleMania 37, he put himself in a special category. On that night, he and Nigerian giant Omos defeated the New Day to win the Raw tag team titles. The victory officially made Styles a grand slam champion.
Final Match with John Cena at Crown Jewel 2025
Cena’s year-long retirement tour in 2025 had many legendary moments that WWE fans will always remember. However, the one that holds a special place in the hearts of many is his match at Crown Jewel against Styles. In what was their final bout against each other, the duo penned a wrestling love letter to professional wrestling.
Styles showed his admiration for several legends from his days in TNA by doing their signature moves, while Cena did the same for some of his greatest foes in WWE. It was a nostalgia epic that also happened to be a phenomenal match (pun intended).
France Showers AJ Styles with Love at Backlash 2024
After winning the WWE title at WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes‘ first challenge came from AJ Styles, and the two battled for the gold at Backlash in Lyon, France. While the match was good, the moment remembered most was the French fans hijacking the show to shower Styles with love.
The 16,000 in attendance chanted in unison, “Il est vraiment, il est vraiment, il est vraiment phénoménal… lalalalalala!” (“He is truly phenomenal!” in English). It is the greatest crowd chant in WWE history and showed how much Styles meant, not just to fans in America, but around the world.
