AJ Styles
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox professional wrestler Allen Neal Jones<ref name=SLAM/> (born June 2, 1977),<ref name=Official/> better known by his ring name AJ Styles (or A.J. Styles), is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand. He is one-half of the current World Tag Team Champions with Dragon Lee in their first reign as a team and Styles' second individual reign.
Jones debuted in 1998 and competed for various independent promotions before gaining initial mainstream exposure in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 2001. He gained prominence after signing with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) having been described as "the cornerstone of the company since its inception";<ref name=TNAbio>Template:Cite web</ref> he won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times, and was the inaugural titleholder of the X Division Championship, which he won six times. He is also the first TNA Triple Crown and Grand Slam champion. Jones simultaneously appeared in Ring of Honor (ROH) from 2002 to 2006, where he became the inaugural ROH Pure Champion. Jones has also wrestled extensively internationally, in promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the United Kingdom based Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), where he is a former RPW British Heavyweight Champion.
Jones first appeared in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 2002, but declined a developmental contract. He returned to the company in 2016, and won the WWE Championship twice. With his second victory in Manchester, England, Jones is recognized by WWE as the first wrestler to win the title outside North America. At 371 days, he is tied with Randy Savage for the eighth-longest reign in title history.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also won the United States Championship three times, the Intercontinental Championship and the Raw Tag Team Championship once each, becoming the second wrestler after Kurt Angle to become a TNA and WWE Triple Crown winner and first Grand Slam champion in both promotions, as well as the third man (after Brock Lesnar and Angle) to be both IWGP and WWE Champion.
Jones has headlined numerous pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania 36 - Night 1 and Bound for Glory twice (in 2009 and 2013), the flagship events of WWE and TNA, respectively. He ranked atop the annual Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 in 2010, the first TNA wrestler to do so, was voted PWI Wrestler of the Year three times between 2016 and 2018, and Wrestler of the Decade in 2020. He also won 10 Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards, including Wrestler of the Year in 2015 and 2016, and was inducted in their Hall of Fame in 2017.
Early life
Allen Neal Jones<ref name="SLAM">Template:Cite web</ref> was born at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina,<ref name="Best of AJ Styles Volume 2"/> on June 2, 1977.<ref name=Official>Template:Cite web Note that birth date appears only on archived version of site.</ref> He grew up in poverty with an abusive, alcoholic father.<ref name="Best of AJ Styles Volume 2"/> The family's poverty was such that they could not afford cable television, which resulted in Jones being unable to watch professional wrestling, his childhood passion.<ref name=NZPWI/> He attended Johnson High School in Gainesville, Georgia, graduating in the class of 1996.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Jones took up amateur wrestling in high school and became a two-time state wrestling champion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jones then attended Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina, where he was on a wrestling scholarship, and studying physical education.<ref name="spencer" /> He was then invited by some of his friends to try professional wrestling.<ref name=spencer>Template:Cite web</ref> He entered a professional wrestling school because his friends were doing it and to find out whether he had a natural aptitude for it.<ref name="Best of AJ Styles Volume 2">Template:Cite video</ref> To supplement his income, he worked by mowing lawns and driving an ambulance.<ref name=spencer/>
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1998–2001)
Template:Professional wrestling sidebarJones was trained by Rick Michaels and debuted in 1998.<ref name=SLAM/> In the Georgia-based National Championship Wrestling (NCW) promotion he wrestled as Mr. Olympia, a masked wrestler, losing to Michael Brooks in his first singles match.<ref name=SLAM/> By August 1999, he had won the promotion's Television Championship.<ref name=SLAM/>
From 1999 to 2001, he generally competed in less notable independent promotions. In December 1999, NCW merged with NWA Georgia to form NWA Wildside, and Jones was renamed A.J. Styles. He appeared sporadically even after signing with NWA-TNA, and is a former NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion, having defeated Rick Michaels for the title on December 22, 2001, at Christmas Chaos.<ref name=SLAM/>
World Championship Wrestling (2001)
Atlanta-based World Championship Wrestling (WCW) had observed Styles' and Air Paris' program in NWA Wildside and offered each a contract in early 2001. Styles (renamed Air Styles) and Paris were placed in a tag team, which was named Air Raid. The team's gimmick saw both men dress in G-suits, with Air Raid also appearing on Thunder.<ref name=SLAM/> On the March 5, 2001, episode of Nitro, they were entered into a tournament for the newly created WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship but were eliminated in the first round by eventual winners Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo.<ref name=SLAM/>
World Wrestling Federation appearances (2001–2002)
On July 9, 2001, Styles had his first World Wrestling Federation (WWF) tryout match against his trainer, Rick Michaels, before the taping of Raw. Styles won with a Shooting Star Press but was not offered a contract.
Styles made two more appearances for the WWF in 2002: on the January 26 episode of Metal (taped on January 21), in a losing effort against The Hurricane, and a dark match before the January 27 episode of SmackDown! (taped on January 22), where he was defeated by Rico Constantino. After these matches, WWF offered Styles a developmental deal contract, which would require Styles to relocate to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA) developmental territory was located. Styles ultimately declined the deal, as the move would interfere with his wife's college plans. Despite this, Styles wrestled one non-contracted match for HWA, on February 19 against Matt Stryker in a losing effort.
Independent circuit (2001–2002)
On October 26, 2001, Styles participated in All Pro Wrestling's King of the Indies tournament, defeating Jardi Frantz in his first-round match but was eliminated by Christopher Daniels in the quarter-finals the following night.<ref name="OWOW" /> On November 13, 2001, Styles debuted in Xcitement Wrestling Federation (XWF), competing in a battle royal against Billy Fives, Christopher Daniels, Juventud Guerrera, Kid Kash, Prince Iaukea, Psicosis and Quick Kick for the XWF Cruiserweight Championship, but was unsuccessful in winning the title. Later that night, Styles defeated Josh Mathews in a match taped for XWF television. The following night, Styles was defeated by Daniels, again in a match taped for the XWF television program.
Styles debuted for Australian promotion World Wrestling All-Stars (WWA) on February 24, 2002, making his pay-per-view debut at The Revolution against Christopher Daniels, Low Ki, Shark Boy, Super Nova and Tony Mamaluke in a six-way cruiserweight survival elimination match, in a losing effort. On April 10, Styles faced Jerry Lynn and Super Nova in a three-way-dance, in a losing effort.<ref name="OWOW" /> On April 12, Styles defeated Nova in a tournament semi-final match at The Eruption for the International Cruiserweight Championship. Styles progressed to the final later that night in which he defeated Jerry Lynn to win the title, which he vacated soon after.<ref name="SLAM" />
On March 2, Styles debuted in the East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA), entering the promotion's 6th annual Super 8 tournament. He defeated Xavier in the first round, as well as The Amazing Red in his semi-finals match, but was defeated in the final by Donovan Morgan.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> On June 15, Styles debuted in Game Changer Wrestling, entering the Jersey-J Cup tournament. In the first round, Styles defeated Qenaan Creed, he then progressed to the quarter-final, defeating Colt Cabana. In the semi-final, he was defeated by Reckless Youth and was eliminated from the tournament.<ref name=":0" />
In October, Styles traveled to the UK, debuting in the Frontier Wrestling Alliance (FWA) on October 13, suffering a loss to Jonny Storm in his debut match at FWA: British Uprising.<ref name=":0" /> On October 15, Styles was defeated in an FWA British Heavyweight Championship number one contender round-robin challenge three-way match by Doug Williams and Jerry Lynn at FWA: Seasons Beatings. Later that night, Styles defeated Jody Fleisch in the same round-robin challenge.<ref name=":0" /> On November 1, Styles debuted in IWA: Mid-South, taking part in the promotions annual Ted Petty Invitational tournament, but was defeated by Christopher Daniels in the first round.<ref name=":0" />
Ring of Honor (2002–2006)
Early years (2002–2004)
Styles debuted in Ring of Honor (ROH) at its third show, 2002's A Night of Appreciation,<ref name=roh>Template:Cite web</ref> and quickly became a main eventer (e.g., performing in main event matches against Low Ki for the ROH World Championship at Honor Invades Boston).<ref name=roh/> After failing to win the title, he became the first holder of the Number One Contender's Trophy, which was viewed within the promotion as a secondary championship at the time.<ref name=roh/> At the First Anniversary Show in February 2003, Styles competed against Low Ki and Paul London in a three-way match, which was won by London. After this, Styles competed by himself and defeated The Backseat Boyz (Johnny Kashmere and Trent Acid), The Carnage Crew (HC Loc and Tony DeVito), and The S.A.T. (Joel and Jose Maximo), to receive a title shot for the ROH Tag Team Championship. He chose Amazing Red as his partner, and the two defeated The Prophecy (Christopher Daniels and Xavier) to win the championship.<ref name=roh/><ref name="ROHtag"/> Styles then feuded with London, who was upset that he had chosen Red as his partner, wrestling to a draw at Night of the Grudges.<ref name=roh/> Styles and Red then defeated The Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark Briscoe) on three separate occasions, but lost to The Prophecy. At Wrath of the Racket, Christopher Daniels and Dan Maff put Red out of action and Styles picked Homicide as his replacement partner. Styles and Homicide beat The Prophecy,<ref name=roh/> but Styles had to vacate the title due to Red being sidelined by a legitimate injury.<ref name="ROHtag"/>
After his reign as ROH Tag Team Champion, Styles took Jimmy Rave as his protégé and attempted to become the ROH World Champion, defeating Bryan Danielson at Main Event Spectacles to become the number one contender. At War of the Wire, Styles unsuccessfully challenged Samoa Joe for the title.<ref name=roh/> He then defeated CM Punk, Jimmy Rave, and Matt Stryker in a one-night tournament at the Second Anniversary Show to become the first ROH Pure Wrestling Champion.<ref name=roh/> Styles defeated Punk in a rematch with Ricky Steamboat as the guest referee at At Our Best for his final match for ROH in 2004,<ref name=roh/> as TNA withdrew all of its contracted wrestlers from all ROH events and ROH vacated the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Feud with Jimmy Rave (2005–2006)
Styles returned to Ring of Honor at the Third Anniversary Celebration: Part Two to wrestle Jimmy Rave, who accused him of stealing the Styles Clash (which he called the Rave Clash) from him, though he was unsuccessful in defeating Rave.<ref name=roh/> During his feud with Rave and The Embassy, Styles formed an alliance with Generation Next, who were also feuding with The Embassy. At Glory by Honor IV, Styles defeated Rave with Mick Foley in his corner, with the stipulation that the loser could no longer use the Rave/Styles Clash in Ring of Honor.<ref name=roh/> At This Means War, he defeated Generation Next leader Austin Aries, who was attacked by The Embassy following the show. At Vendetta, Styles had his final match against The Embassy when he, along with Austin Aries, Jack Evans and Matt Sydal were defeated by Abyss, Alex Shelley, Jimmy Rave, and Prince Nana in an eight-man tag match.<ref name=roh/>
Following his feud with The Embassy, Styles set his sights on winning a championship. At A Night of Tribute, Styles faced Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal in a three-way match, which Daniels won. On the first show of 2006, Styles wrestled and defeated Matt Sydal, after which the two agreed to form a tag team and challenge for the ROH Tag Team Championship, which was held by Sydal's Generation Next teammates Austin Aries and Roderick Strong. Before receiving a shot at the tag team title, Styles received a shot at the ROH World Championship when he was handpicked by Bryan Danielson, but he was unsuccessful.<ref name=roh/> At the Fourth Anniversary Show, Styles and Sydal received their shot at the ROH Tag Team Championship, but were unable to defeat the champions.<ref name=roh/>
After an absence, Styles returned at Death Before Dishonor IV, defeating Davey Richards. Styles returned at Time to Man Up, losing to Samoa Joe.<ref name=roh/> In a pre-taped promo, Styles said he would be taking several months off from ROH following the match; however, ROH commentators continually referred to the match as his final match and even played a special tribute to him after it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
NWA: Total Nonstop Action / Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2002–2014)
NWA World Heavyweight Champion (2002–2004)
In May 2002, Styles was signed to a non-exclusive contract by NWA: Total Nonstop Action (NWA-TNA). He appeared on the first weekly TNA pay-per-view, teaming with Low Ki and Jerry Lynn and losing to The Flying Elvises (Jimmy Yang, Jorge Estrada and Sonny Siaki).<ref name=SLAM/> The following week, Styles defeated Low Ki, Jerry Lynn and Psicosis in a double elimination match to become the inaugural TNA X Division Champion.<ref name=SLAM/> He won a second title on the third TNA pay-per-view, teaming with Lynn and defeating Bruce and Lenny Lane in the finals of a tournament for the vacant NWA World Tag Team Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles successfully defended both titles in the following weeks but began to bicker with the veteran Lynn during their matches together. On August 7, Styles lost the X Division title to Low Ki in a three-way dance also involving Lynn.<ref name=OWOW>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Unreliable source? The following week, he and Lynn fought Jeff Jarrett and Ron Killings to a no contest, and the tag team title was held-up as a result.<ref name=OWOW/> 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.<ref name=OWOW/> On August 28, Low Ki defended the X Division Championship against Lynn and Styles in a ladder match and lost the title to Lynn.<ref name=OWOW/> Recruiting Mortimer Plumtree and Sonny Siaki as allies, Styles continued to feud with Lynn in successive weeks.<ref name=OWOW/> On October 23, he defeated Syxx-Pac for the X Division Championship,<ref name=SLAM/> but lost the title to Lynn on November 6 and tried unsuccessfully to regain it throughout the remainder of the year.<ref name=SLAM/>
In 2003, Styles began focusing on the NWA World Heavyweight Championship when, after defeating David Flair on January 15 to become the number one contender, he recruited the help of Larry Zbyszko and associated himself with Vince Russo's Sports Entertainment Xtreme (S.E.X.) stable.<ref name=OWOW/> Styles faced NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett on February 19, but was defeated.<ref name=OWOW/> In the course of the match, Styles became a fan favorite, attacking S.E.X. as they tried to interfere on his behalf because he did not want to win in that manner. Styles briefly teamed with D'Lo Brown, but disbanded for their world title aspirations, challenging each other on June 4 in a number one contenders match which was won by Styles. Styles defeated Jarrett and Raven in a three-way match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (becoming the first TNA Triple Crown) on June 11 with assistance from Russo.<ref name=SLAM/> Throughout July 2003, Styles successfully defended the title in matches against D'Lo Brown and a myriad selection of opponents before dropping the title back to Jarrett on October 22.<ref name=SLAM/> Following his loss, Styles reverted to being a fan favorite while Jarrett became a villain. On November 12, he teamed with Sting to defeat Lex Luger and Jeff Jarrett, though his bid for the title on December 3 was unsuccessful due to interference from Kid Kash.<ref name=OWOW/>
Styles feuded with Abyss and Jeff Jarrett throughout January, and on February 4, 2004, 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, which Styles' won, despite being abandoned by Abyss.<ref name=SLAM/> The following week, Styles defeated Abyss in a match to determine the sole owner of the tag team championship by disqualification after Jarrett interfered, but 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 sole control of the tag team championship.<ref name=SLAM/> On March 17, Abyss defeated Styles to become the number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.<ref name=OWOW/> Russo granted Styles a championship steel cage match against Jarret on April 21, where he won his second world title.<ref name=SLAM/> 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 the title to Killings after Jarrett interfered in the match, hitting him with a guitar.<ref name=OWOW/>
X Division Champion (2004–2007)
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 Impact!.<ref name=SLAM/> On June 9, he defeated Frankie Kazarian to become a three-time X Division Champion.<ref name=SLAM/> In the following weeks, Styles feuded with Kid Kash and Dallas,<ref name=SLAM/> while successfully defending the title in matches with Kazarian and Mr. Águila. An additional match on June 23 with the debuting Jeff Hardy was interrupted by Kash and Dallas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 28, he defended the title against Kazarian and Michael Shane in an Ultimate X match.<ref name="TNA-jul.28">Template:Cite web</ref> After Kash struck Styles with a crutch, Shane and Kazarian simultaneously retrieved the title belt and became co-X Division Champions.<ref name="TNA-jul.28"/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October, Styles began feuding with Petey Williams (who by then was the TNA X Division Champion) and on November 7 at Victory Road, the first monthly pay-per-view event held by TNA, Styles failed to regain the title from Williams.<ref name="VR04">Template:Cite web</ref>
At Final Resolution on January 16, 2005, Styles won the X Division Championship for a fourth time in an Ultimate X match, defeating Chris Sabin and the reigning champion Petey Williams.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles faced Christopher Daniels for the first time on the January 21 episode of Impact!, and after failing to defeat him in ten minutes, qualified for a thirty-minute Iron Man match for the championship at Against All Odds on February 13,<ref name="Impact-Jan.21">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="AAO-05">Template:Cite web</ref> where Styles defeated Daniels to retain the title after initial tying and going into "sudden death" rules.<ref name="AAO-05"/> The feud between Styles and Daniels continued and at Destination X on March 13, Styles lost the title to him in an Ultimate X Challenge also featuring Ron Killings and Elix Skipper.<ref name="DX05">Template:Cite web</ref>
After defeating Abyss at Lockdown on April 24 to become the number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles won his third world championship from Jeff Jarrett at Hard Justice on May 15,<ref name="HJ05">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="PS132">Template:Cite news</ref> which he lost to Raven in a King of the Mountain match at Slammiversary on June 19.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles then entered 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 on August 14.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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. At Unbreakable on September 11, Styles defeated Samoa Joe and Daniels in a critically lauded three-way match to become the X Division Champion for a fifth time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="FiveStars">Template:Cite web</ref>
At Bound for Glory on October 23, Styles successfully defended the title against Christopher Daniels in the second thirty-minute Iron Man match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following month at Genesis on November 13, Styles successfully defended the title against Petey Williams.<ref name=Genesis2005>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles then started a feud with Joe, claiming that he had broken the unwritten "code of the X Division" by brutally beating Daniels.<ref name=Genesis2005/> At Turning Point on December 11, Styles lost the X Division Championship to Joe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles was unsuccessful in retaining the title in a triple threat match, also featuring Daniels, at Against All Odds on February 12, 2006,<ref name="AAO06">Template:Cite web</ref> and in an Ultimate X match at Destination X on March 12, which Daniels won.<ref name="DX06">Template:Cite web</ref> After Daniels lost the title back to Joe, Styles joined Daniels to 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 on June 18.<ref name="Slam06">Template:Cite web</ref> They successfully retained against The Latin American Xchange (Homicide and Hernandez) (LAX) at Hard Justice on August 13,<ref name="HJ06">Template:Cite web</ref> only to lose the title to them in a Border Brawl on the August 24 episode of Impact!.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They regained the titles at No Surrender on September 24,<ref name="NS06">Template:Cite web</ref> but dropped them back to LAX at Bound for Glory on October 22 in a Six Sides of Steel match.<ref name="BFG06">Template:Cite web</ref>
On the November 2 episode of Impact!, Styles pinned Chris Sabin to begin his sixth reign as the new X Division Champion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The match was also the quarter-finals of the Fight for the Right tournament for number one contendership to Sting's NWA World Heavyweight Championship; Styles won the semi-final match on the November 9 Impact! but was pinned in the finals by Abyss.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the November 16 episode of Impact!, Styles lost the X Division Championship to Daniels in a three-way match when Daniels scored the roll-up pinfall on Sabin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Genesis on November 19, Styles lost to Christian Cage, which Styles blamed on Daniels, who had tried to intervene on his behalf.<ref name="genesis06">Template:Cite web</ref>
Styles would then turn heel and feuded with Rhino for attempting to reconcile him with Daniels and at Turning Point on December 10 he beat Rhino,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and on the December 22 episode of Impact!, Styles and Samoa Joe defeated Rhino and Kurt Angle.<ref name="Impact-Dec.22">Template:Cite web</ref> Rhino then defeated Styles in a Last Man Standing match at Final Resolution on January 14, 2007<ref name="FR07">Template:Cite web</ref> and at Destination X on March 11 in an Elevation X match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Various alliances (2007–2009)
Styles aligned with Christian Cage for Lockdown on April 15, forming Team Cage (later Christian's Coalition), who were defeated by Team Angle at Lockdown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles teamed with Tomko to face Sting and Abyss at Victory Road on July 15, but were defeated.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At No Surrender on September 9, Styles and Tomko won a ten-tag team gauntlet match to earn a tag team title match at Bound for Glory on October 14 against Team Pacman (Adam Jones and Ron Killings),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where they defeated them to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They successfully defended against LAX on the November 1 episode of Impact!<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and at Genesis on November 11 against The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner).<ref name="Genesis07">Template:Cite web</ref> Later that night, Styles and Tomko inadvertently cost Cage his match and helped Kurt Angle retain the world championship.<ref name="Genesis07"/> Over the next few weeks, Styles struggled to choose between aligning Cage and Angle,<ref name="Impact-Dec.28">Template:Cite web</ref> until he joined The Angle Alliance at Final Resolution on January 6, 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In February, Styles was involved in a storyline in which he became accidentally married to Karen Angle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Meanwhile, Styles and Tomko lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship to Kaz and Super Eric on the April 17 episode of Impact!.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With Kurt constantly accusing Styles and Karen of an affair and both denying anything beyond friendship, Styles quit The Angle Alliance. In retaliation, Tomko cost Styles his King of the Mountain qualifying match against Booker T on the May 22 episode of Impact!, turning Styles face.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Slammiversary on June 8, Styles defeated Angle after a distraction by Karen, but was beat-down by Angle and Tomko after the match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The feud continued through Hard Justice on August 10, where he defeated Angle in a Last Man Standing match. They continued trading wins and on the following episode of Impact! he defeated Angle for his Olympic gold medal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles also won the ladder rematch the following week to end their feud, but he was later asked to give Angle back his gold medal by Jeff Jarrett in an effort to try to mend things with Angle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
At Bound for Glory IV on October 12, Styles faced Christian Cage and Booker T in a three-way match in which Booker T won.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Shortly after that, Booker T, Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash and Sting formed The Main Event Mafia, and Styles teamed up with Samoa Joe to fight them.<ref name="Impact-Oct.23">Template:Cite web</ref> On the October 30 episode of Impact!, Styles and Joe formed a faction of younger wrestlers known as The TNA Front Line to combat The Main Event Mafia, who recruited Scott Steiner.<ref name="steiner-Mafia">Template:Cite web</ref> Styles challenged Sting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Turning Point on November 9<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and again in an eight-man tag team match at Final Resolution on December 7, but was unsuccessful each time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the January 22, 2009, episode of Impact!, Angle vowed to end Styles' career and later that night beat Styles in a tables match, where Styles was injured (kayfabe).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
At Against All Odds on February 8, Styles returned by attacking Booker T and stealing his TNA Legends Championship.<ref name="Martin">Template:Cite web</ref> Styles defeated Booker T to become Legends Champion (and the first TNA Grand Slam Champion) at Destination X on March 15,<ref name="Martin"/> and he retained in a rematch at Sacrifice.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Slammiversary on June 21, Styles competed in the King of the Mountain match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but was unsuccessful after Samoa Joe turned on The Front Line and helped Angle win.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Nash won Styles' Legends Championship at Victory Road on July 19.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following the loss, Styles began a "Best of Three Series" against Matt Morgan for entry into the TNA World Heavyweight Championship match with Sting and Angle at Hard Justice on August 16, which saw Styles winning the first match, but losing the following two, resulting in Morgan advancing to Hard Justice.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
TNA World Heavyweight Champion (2009–2010)
On the August 20 episode of Impact!, Styles was talked out of retiring by Sting, who said he had chosen Styles to carry the torch after him. At No Surrender on September 20, Styles won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a five-way match against Matt Morgan, Sting, Hernandez and defending champion Kurt Angle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Bound for Glory on October 18, Styles retained the title against Sting, ending his undefeated streak at Bound for Glory in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles was mysteriously attacked by an anonymous assailant backstage leading him to believe it was Samoa Joe or Christopher Daniels, both of whom he faced the following month at Turning Point on November 15 to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles continued to successfully defend the title against Desmond Wolfe on the December 10 episode of Impact!,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> against Daniels at Final Resolution on December 20,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> against Angle on the January 4, 2010, episode of Impact!<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and against Tomko, who had been revealed as his mystery attacker, on the January 14 episode of Impact!.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
At Genesis on January 17, Styles defeated Angle in a Last Chance match to again retain the championship with assistance from Ric Flair, turning heel in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the January 21 episode of Impact!, Flair announced that he had aligned himself with Styles and christened Styles "The New Nature Boy", but on the same episode Hulk Hogan announced a Genesis rematch, where if Flair were to interfere, Styles would be stripped of the title and awarded to Angle. During the match, Angle applied his signature move, the ankle lock, on Styles, who reversed it and applied the same move to Angle, when suddenly referee Earl Hebner, paid off by Flair, called for the bell although Angle did not submit.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Against All Odds on February 14, Styles retained the title against Samoa Joe, with help from Flair, in a match refereed by Eric Bischoff.<ref name=AAO2010>Template:Cite web</ref> On the March 8 episode of Impact!, Styles teamed up with Ric Flair in a tag team match, in a losing effort against Abyss and Hulk Hogan.<ref name=March82010>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles defended the title against Abyss at Destination X on March 21 in a match that went to no contest after Abyss hit Styles with a chokeslam through the ring.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Lockdown on April 18, Styles successfully defended the title against D'Angelo Dinero in a steel cage match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following day on Impact!, Styles dropped the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Rob Van Dam, ending his reign at a then-record 211 days.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles faced Van Dam in a rematch at Sacrifice on May 16, but was defeated again.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Fortune (2010–2012)
With these shortcomings, Flair adopted Kazarian as his newest protégé, thus causing Styles to become jealous and tried to impress his mentor, but after failing to defeat Jay Lethal, Flair ordered him to "go home".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Slammiversary VIII on June 13, Styles attempted to win Flair back by defeating Lethal, but lost again.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the following episode of Impact!, Flair, who had aligned himself with Styles, Desmond Wolfe, Kazarian, Robert Roode and James Storm, announced that he would reform the Four Horsemen under the new name Template:Not a typo, stating that each of them would have to earn their spots in the group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Victory Road on July 11, Styles and Kazarian earned their spots by defeating Samoa Joe and Rob Terry due to outside interference from Desmond Wolfe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the July 22 episode of Impact!, Styles defeated Terry to win the Global Championship (formerly the Legends Championship) for the second time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following week on Impact!, Styles renamed the title the TNA Television Championship.<ref name=Impact072910>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Not a typo (soon renamed Fortune) then feuded with EV 2.0 and Styles defeated EV 2.0 leader Tommy Dreamer in a non-title "I Quit" match at No Surrender on September 5,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> although Fortune were defeated in a Lethal Lockdown match by EV 2.0 at Bound for Glory on October 10.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the following episode of Impact!, Fortune formed an alliance with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff's new stable, Immortal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Turning Point on November 7, Fortune defeated EV 2.0 in a ten-man tag team match and, as a result, EV 2.0's Sabu was released from TNA.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following month at Final Resolution on December 5, Styles lost the Television Championship to Douglas Williams, who had turned on Fortune.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the February 3, 2011 episode of Impact!, Fortune turned face by attacking Immortal, when they interfered in a TNA World Heavyweight Championship match between Mr. Anderson and Jeff Hardy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Flair, who did not take part in Fortune's turn due to an injury, returned on the February 17 episode of Impact!, turning on Fortune during a match between Styles and Matt Hardy and jumping to Immortal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles faced Flair and Hardy in a three-way street fight match on the March 10 episode of Impact!, where Styles was pinned by his former mentor, with assistance from Hardy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Victory Road on March 13, Styles defeated Hardy in a singles match, despite interference from Flair.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the following episode of Impact!, Styles was sidelined with a storyline injury after Flair helped Bully Ray perform a powerbomb on him off the entrance stage through a table.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles made his return on April 17 at Lockdown, attacking Bully Ray and helping Fortune defeat Immortal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He then feuded with Tommy Dreamer, who joined Immortal to save his job;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ray cost Styles his match against Dreamer at Sacrifice on May 15 by hitting him with a chain.<ref name=Sacrifice2011>Template:Cite web</ref> On the May 26 episode of the newly rebranded Impact Wrestling, Styles and Daniels defeated Ray and Dreamer in a no disqualification street fight match, with Styles pinning Dreamer to avenge his loss at Sacrifice.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The feud ended at Slammiversary IX on June 12, where Ray defeated Styles in a Last Man Standing match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles then defeated fellow Fortune member Christopher Daniels in the main event of Destination X on July 10.<ref name=DX2011>Template:Cite web</ref> After weeks of asking for a rematch, Styles finally granted Daniels one on the September 1 episode of Impact Wrestling, where Daniels won and refused to shake hands with Styles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Bound for Glory on October 16, Styles defeated Daniels in an "I Quit" match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After defeating Daniels again on the November 10 episode of Impact Wrestling, Styles entered into a feud with TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> failing to capture the championship at Turning Point on November 13,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> tying him in an Iron-Man Match at Final Resolution on December 11,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but losing the sudden-death tie-breaker on the following Impact Wrestling.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the following episodes of Impact Wrestling, Styles and Kazarian, the last two members of Fortune, made it to the finals of the Wild Card Tournament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the final match against Magnus and Samoa Joe on the January 5, 2012, episode of Impact Wrestling, Kazarian abandoned Styles and aligned himself with Christopher Daniels, effectively ending Fortune.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Final storylines (2012–2014)
In 2012, Styles feuded with the team of Kazarian and Daniels, being defeated by Kazarian at Against All Odds<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the March 3 episode of Impact Wrestling, Kazarian defeated Styles in a gauntlet match; had Styles been successful, Kazarian would have to explain his alliance with Daniels.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but defeating them at Victory Road in a tag team match with Mr. Anderson<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and at Lockdown on April 15, where the two duos were on opposing teams in the annual Lethal Lockdown match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
TNA booked a storyline where Kazarian and Daniels had a series of photographs insinuating a relationship between Styles and TNA president Dixie Carter,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but later evolved into a storyline where he and Carter were helping an addicted pregnant woman named Claire Lynch.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Lynch made appearances with TNA, claiming Styles was the father of an unborn baby,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but the feud was cancelled since it was criticaly panned, being awarded by WrestleCrap with the Gooker Award, a recognition to the worst of the year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the Claire Lynch storyline, Styles would win the TNA World Tag Team Championship with Kurt Angle from Daniels and Kazarian at Slammiversary, but lost it to them the following week.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles also defeated Daniels in a Last Man Standing match at Destination X,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At No Surrender and Bound for Glory, Styles and Angle unsuccessfully challenged Daniels and Kazarian for the TNA World Tag Team Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 9 at Final Resolution, Styles was defeated by Christopher Daniels in what was billed as their "final match".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Beginning in February 2013, TNA began airing videos at Styles' home interviewing his wife, a friend, and even attempting to interview Styles himself before he angrily forced them to leave.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles, now sporting a beard, unkempt hair, and all-black attire, returned to TNA with the Calf Killer submission hold as his new finisher, which he used to defeat James Storm in his first match back.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles, who remained silent in the following weeks, began feuding with Kurt Angle after refusing to tell Angle whether or not he was with the Aces & Eights stable.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His new gimmick was nicknamed "The Lone Wolf", since he rejected joining Aces & Eights.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Slammiversary XI on June 2, Styles was defeated by Angle in a singles match,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but he defeated him in a rematch to earn the final spot in the 2013 Bound for Glory Series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Throughout the following weeks, Styles participated in the Bound For Glory Series, winning the tournament and becoming the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Bound for Glory on October 20.<ref name=BFG2013>Template:Cite web</ref> The following week on Impact Wrestling, Styles claimed that he was no longer under contract with TNA and insulted Dixie Carter, who responded by saying that Styles was not a great wrestler.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the weeks leading up to Bound for Glory, Styles continued to appear on Impact Wrestling, despite not having a contract with the company, but he would defeat Bully Ray at Bound for Glory, despite interference from Aces & Eights and Carter, to win his second TNA World Heavyweight Championship and fifth world title in the company overall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles made his first televised title defense on the following episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating Ray in a rematch after interference from Mr. Anderson, after which he refused Carter's new contract offer and walked out of TNA with the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 29, TNA vacated the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the December 2 taping of Impact Wrestling which aired on January 2, 2014, Styles returned to TNA with his championship to confront Carter and Magnus (who had won a tournament to crown the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion), with Styles challenging Magnus to a title unification match on next weeks episode of Impact Wrestling, which Magnus accepted.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On December 5 taping of Impact Wrestling which aired on tape delay on January 9, Magnus won to unify both titles after interference from eight other wrestlers on Magnus' behalf and Sting interfering on Styles' behalf in what would be Styles' final match with TNA.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 8, it was reported that contract negotiations between Styles and TNA had broken down and that Styles would be leaving the promotion, becoming a free agent effective December 17 and ending his near twelve-year association with the company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to Styles he left the promotion since they made him an offer which reduced his salary about 60%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Return to the independent circuit (2003–2005)
On March 14, Styles returned to International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) and successfully challenged IWC Super Indy Champion Super Hentai for the title. On April 13, Styles defended the title in a rematch against Hentai, but the match ended in a no contest, meaning Styles retained the title. On May 10, Styles vacated the title. On August 23, Styles unsuccessfully challenged the new Super Indy Champion Colt Cabana after the match ended at a twenty-minute time limit draw, meaning Cabana retained the title. On December 12 at IWC: Call to Arms, Styles would once again challenge Cabana for the title, but again was unsuccessful.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 12, Styles debuted in Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), competing at the promotions 3rd Best of the Best event. Styles teamed with Jason Cross to face Jay Briscoe and Jimmy Rave, in a losing effort. On July 20, at CZW: Deja Vu II, Styles successfully defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Rave.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On September 12, Styles debuted in Maximum Pro Wrestling (MXPW), successfully challenging MXPW Television Champion Chris Sabin and Christopher Daniels in a three-way match for the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 4, Styles debuted in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), unsuccessfully challenging PWG Champion Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels for the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 7, Styles returned to IWA: Mid-South to take part in the promotions annual Ted Petty Invitational, which saw Styles defeating Todd Sexton is his first-round match. The following night, he defeated Jerry Lynn in the quarter-finals, but later that night would be eliminated by Danny Daniels in the semi-finals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 20, 2004, Styles returned to IWC, entering the promotions Super Indy Survivor Showdown tournament. Styles' first match in the tournament was in the semi-finals for unknown reasons, in which he defeated CM Punk. Later that night, Styles faced IWC Super Indy Champion Colt Cabana in the final in a winning effort, capturing the title. On April 17, Styles successfully defended the title against Homicide, and on May 8 he did so again against Christopher Daniels.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On September 17, Styles returned to IWA: Mid-South, entering the promotions 2004 Ted Petty Invitational. Styles defeated Jimmy Rave in his first-round match. The following night, Styles defeated Matt Sydal in the quarter-finals. Later that night, Styles defeated Arik Cannon in the semi-finals, as well as defeating Bryan Danielson and Samoa Joe in the final to win the 2004 Ted Petty Invitational. On October 21, Styles won the vacant IWA: Mid-South Heavyweight Championship, defeating Chris Sabin, Christopher Daniels, and Petey Williams in a four-way dance match. Two days later on October 23, Styles lost the title to CM Punk.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On April 1, 2005, Styles returned to PWG, defeating Samoa Joe in a PWG Championship number one contender match at the promotion's All-Star Weekend – Day 1. The following night on Day 2 of All-Star Weekend, Styles successfully challenged Super Dragon for the title. Styles defended the title until August 6 at Zombies Shouldn't Run, where he lost it to Kevin Steen. On September 3, Styles entered the 2005 Battle of Los Angeles tournament but was defeated in the finals by Chris Bosh.
Mexican and Japanese promotions (2006–2013)
During his stay in TNA, Styles worked in various Japanese and Mexican promotions due to a partnership with TNA.
On September 17, 2006, at Verano de Escándalo, Styles made his debut for Mexican promotion AAA, as part of a cross promotion deal between TNA and AAA. Team TNA (Styles, Homicide, Low Ki, and Samoa Joe) defeated Vipers Revolution (Abismo Negro, Charly Manson, Electroshock and Histeria) in a semi-final tournament match then later defeated The Mexican Powers (Crazy Boy, Joe Líder and Juventud Guerrera) in the finals.
On December 20, 2007, as part of TNA's working relationship with the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), Styles competed in the promotion's third event, defeating fellow TNA star Senshi.
During a partnership between TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Styles made four appearances for NJPW in 2008, starting on January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom II, where Styles teamed with Christian Cage and Petey Williams to defeat RISE (Milano Collection AT, Minoru and Prince Devitt) in a six-man tag team match. On February 17, Styles lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi on Day 8 of New Japan's ISM Tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On August 15, Styles teamed with Shinjiro Otani to face Kurt Angle and Masahiro Chono on Day 5 of New Japan's G1 Climax – Heroes of Supremacy event, in a losing effort. The following day on Day 6 of New Japan's G1 Climax – Heroes of Supremacy show, Styles teamed with Tanahashi to face the team of Kurt Angle and Shinsuke Nakamura, again in a losing effort.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On July 26, 2008, Styles made his debut for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), taking part in the promotion's last annual 16-man elimination International Gran Prix tournament, representing Team International. Styles would defeat Rey Bucanero of Team Mexico in his first match, but would later be eliminated from the tournament by Último Guerrero. Guerrero went on to lose to Team International member Alex Shelley later in the night, with Shelley winning the tournament for Team International.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Styles returned to AAA on December 16, 2011, at Guerra de Titanes, as part of the TNA invasion storyline. He faced El Mesías in a match to earn a shot at the AAA World Heavyweight Championship, but was unsuccessful.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 3, 2013, Styles would once again return to AAA, this time to successfully defend the TNA World Heavyweight Championship (which had been vacated by TNA just days before) in a rematch against El Mesías.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On November 16, 2013, Styles made his debut for Japanese promotion Wrestle-1, successfully defending the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Seiya Sanada.<ref name=W1111613>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Return to ROH (2014–2016)
Styles defeated Roderick Strong in his return match on the January 4, 2014, taping of Ring of Honor Wrestling,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and picked up victories over Jay Lethal at the 12th Anniversary Show and Chris Hero at the Flyin' High event.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At All Star Extravaganza VII, he became the number one contender for the ROH World Championship by winning a four-way match involving Adam Cole, Michael Elgin and Roderick Strong, but he unsuccessfully challenged champion Jay Lethal at Final Battle.
Styles made his final independent appearance before he began working for WWE at ROH's TV tapings in Duluth, Georgia, on January 23, 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the tapings, Styles was interrupted by Jay Lethal and The House of Truth, followed by Roderick Strong. An ensuing brawl saw Styles' former Bullet Club stablemates Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, and The Young Bucks (who had fired Styles from the stable just over two weeks prior) assist him against various members of the ROH roster. At the end of the show, Styles proceeded to join Bullet Club in a group hug, mirroring the famous 1996 WWF Madison Square Garden "Curtain Call".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Second return to the independent circuit (2014–2016)
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Following his departure from TNA, Styles would begin taking independent bookings for the first time in two years, accepting as many dates as possible and more regularly. During his second run on the independent circuit, he competed in various countries around the world, most notably England.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On March 1, 2014, Styles made an appearance for English promotion Preston City Wrestling, losing to British wrestler Lionheart in the main event. Following the match, Styles gave Lionheart the Styles Clash, during which Lionheart improperly tucked his chin, resulting in him landing on top of his head and legitimately breaking his neck.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On February 8, Styles returned to Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) after eleven years, defeating CZW World Heavyweight Champion Drew Gulak via disqualification, which meant that Gulak retained the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August, Styles also returned to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) after eleven years, taking part in the promotion's annual 10th Battle of Los Angeles tournament, where on August 29 he defeated Brian Myers to make it to the quarterfinals before losing to Roderick Strong via disqualification on August 31.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On March 11, 2015, Styles defeated John Hennigan to win the FWE Heavyweight Championship in a best of three falls match two falls to one; Hennigan won the first fall after hitting the Starship Pain, but Styles made Hennigan tap out to the Calf Killer shortly thereafter to score fall number two and pinned Hennigan following a Styles Clash to win the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On May 29, 2015, reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Styles (representing Bullet Club with manager Jonny Ferrari) defeated Justin Gabriel at House of Glory High Intensity 4 in Jamaica, New York.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
On June 14, Styles won the Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW) British Heavyweight Championship, defeating Marty Scurll at Summer Sizzler for the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In September, Styles made his debut for Chikara, when he teamed with fellow Bullet Club members The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) in the 2015 King of Trios. They made it to the semi-finals of the three-day-long tournament, defeating Team Fight Club (Trent Seven, Tyler Bate and Dan Moloney), but were ultimately defeated in the finals by Team AAA (Aero Star, Drago and Fénix).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On January 14, 2016, Styles wrestled a match for 5 Star Wrestling in Sheffield, England, where he faced Rey Mysterio for the first time,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where Styles defeated Mysterio.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles lost to John Morrison in a singles match which was for the inaugural 5 Star Wrestling Championship.
On January 16, Styles returned to Revolution Pro Wrestling in London, England, losing the RPW British Heavyweight Championship to Zack Sabre Jr. Following the match, Styles cut a promo addressing his future and teased entering the Royal Rumble match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On February 5, Styles wrestled his final independent match (which he had pre-booked before signing with WWE), defeating Corey Hollis at Georgia Premier Wrestling.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2014–2016)
For the first time since the TNA-NJPW partnership in 2008, on March 27, 2014, it was reported that Styles would return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and had signed a contract with the company.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Styles' return came on April 6 at Invasion Attack, where he attacked IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada after his match and laid him out with the Styles Clash and challenged Okada to a title match, before revealing himself as the newest member of Bullet Club, establishing himself as a villain in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following Invasion Attack, with Styles still working a full schedule on the American independent circuit and only booked to work NJPW's larger events,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Karl Anderson was positioned as the new leader of Bullet Club.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, Styles was considered the leader of the Ring of Honor (ROH) version of Bullet Club,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a role which was also given to him by NJPW by the end of 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles wrestled his first match under a New Japan contract on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku, where he defeated Okada with help from Yujiro Takahashi to become the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion.<ref name="WrestlingDontaku2014">Template:Cite web</ref> With this victory, Styles became the sixth gaijin (non-Japanese) champion in the title's history and the first American champion since Brock Lesnar in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The win also made Styles the shortest IWGP Heavyweight Champion in history.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 17, Styles made his first successful title defense in a three-way match with Okada and Michael Elgin at the NJPW/ROH co-produced War of the Worlds event in New York City.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 25 at Back to the Yokohama Arena, Styles defeated Okada for his second successful title defense.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=BacktotheYokohamaArenaPWT>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles suffered his first loss in NJPW on July 21, when he was defeated by Okada in his first match in the 2014 G1 Climax tournament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Out of his nine remaining matches in the tournament, Styles lost only one, but failed to advance to the finals due to his loss against Okada in the head-to-head match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 13 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Styles lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi in his third defense, after the returning Yoshitatsu stopped Bullet Club's newest member, Jeff Jarrett, from interfering in the match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On November 8 at Power Struggle, Styles defeated Yoshitatsu with help from Jarrett and after the match was confronted by Tetsuya Naito.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the match, Yoshitatsu legitimately broke his neck on a botched Styles Clash in which he tucked his head, leading to NJPW pushing Styles as a "killer" and the Styles Clash as a controversial maneuver.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web.</ref> Later in the month, Styles entered the 2014 World Tag League, alongside Yujiro Takahashi.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Despite a win over the reigning IWGP Tag Team Champions, Bullet Club stablemates Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles and Takahashi failed to advance from their block with a record of four wins and three losses due to losing to Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi on the final day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles and Naito faced off in a match on January 4, 2015, at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome, where Styles was victorious.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On January 6, 2015, Styles inserted himself back into the IWGP Heavyweight Championship picture, when he pinned Tanahashi in an eight-man tag team match, setting up a title match between the two at The New Beginning in Osaka.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On February 11, Styles defeated Tanahashi to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the second time.<ref name=NewBeginningOsaka2015>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles made his first title defense on April 5 at Invasion Attack, where he defeated 2015 New Japan Cup winner Kota Ibushi.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His five-month reign ended in his second defense on July 5 at Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall, where he was defeated by Kazuchika Okada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> From July 20 to August 14, Styles took part in the 2015 G1 Climax.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles entered the final day with a chance to advance from his block, but a loss against Hiroshi Tanahashi cost him a spot in the finals, giving him a record of six wins and three losses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 12 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Styles received a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but was again defeated by Okada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In November, Styles entered the IWGP Intercontinental Championship picture by challenging Shinsuke Nakamura to a title match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later that month, Styles was forced to pull out of the 2015 World Tag League, where he teamed with Yujiro Takahashi, after experiencing a back injury.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles returned to the NJPW ring on January 4, 2016, at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in Tokyo Dome, where he unsuccessfully challenged Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hours after Styles' Wrestle Kingdom 10 match, it was reported that Styles had given his notice to NJPW on the morning of January 4, announcing that he was leaving the promotion and signing with WWE.<ref name="Rose">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Caldwell">Template:Cite web</ref> The following day, Styles made his final appearance for NJPW, where the rest of Bullet Club turned on him with Kenny Omega becoming the stable's new leader.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
WWE (2016–present)
Feud with John Cena (2016–2017)
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After weeks of speculation and WWE themselves covering the rumors of Styles leaving NJPW for WWE,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> on January 20, 2016, it was confirmed that he had signed with WWE.<ref name="Rose"/><ref name="Caldwell"/> Prior to signing, Styles had also had extensive discussions with TNA and according to them, Styles had agreed to return to the promotion with Bullet Club stablemates Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> before being offered a "blow-away deal" by WWE.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After not being on WWE television since his Metal match in 2002, Styles made his re-debut in WWE on January 24 at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view during the Royal Rumble match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, entering at number three. Styles went on to eliminate Curtis Axel and Tyler Breeze, before being eliminated by Kevin Owens, lasting just under 29 minutes in the match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles then entered a storyline with Chris Jericho, with the two exchanging victories on both Raw<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and SmackDown,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which ultimately led to an encounter between the two on February 21 at Fastlane,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where Styles emerged victorious via submission.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After Fastlane, Jericho and Styles formed a tag team, dubbed "Y2AJ",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and defeated The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) in two non-title matches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Y2AJ failed to win the WWE Tag Team Championship from them on the March 7 episode of Raw, after which Jericho turned on Styles and attacked him, ending their team.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The two subsequently interfered in each other's matches,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> leading to a match between the two at WrestleMania 32 on April 3,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which Styles lost.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the following episode of Raw, Styles defeated Jericho, Kevin Owens, and Cesaro in a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender for Roman Reigns' WWE World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the weeks that followed, Styles reunited with former Bullet Club stablemates Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (now known as The Club), and an alliance was teased, which Styles initially declined.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Payback on May 1, Reigns eventually defeated Styles by pinfall after the match was restarted twice (with Styles first winning by countout and then by disqualification), despite Gallows and Anderson's interference.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He received a rematch against Reigns at Extreme Rules on May 22 in an Extreme Rules match,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but was unsuccessful in winning the championship due to interference from both Gallows and Anderson and The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the May 30 episode of Raw, Styles welcomed back a returning John Cena, only to attack Cena with help from Gallows and Anderson, turning heel in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This set up a match between Styles and Cena at Money in the Bank on June 19,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which Styles won after interference from The Club.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Battleground on July 24, The Club were defeated by Cena and Enzo Amore and Big Cass in a six-man tag team match after Cena pinned Styles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the 2016 WWE Draft, Styles was drafted to the SmackDown brand in the first round of picks, being the brand's second pick overall, while Gallows and Anderson were drafted to the Raw brand, splitting up The Club.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He faced Cena once more at the SummerSlam pay-per-view on August 21,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where he was victorious.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After his victory over Cena, Styles claimed himself to be the "new face of WWE" and "the Face That Runs the Place".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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Due to his victory at SummerSlam, Styles immediately re-entered the renamed WWE World Championship picture and received another opportunity at the title at Backlash against Dean Ambrose.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Backlash on September 11, Styles defeated Ambrose to become the WWE World Champion for the first time after a low blow, also his first championship in WWE and eighth world title overall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles made his first successful title defense against Ambrose in a rematch on the September 27 episode of SmackDown Live after interference from Cena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At No Mercy on October 9, Styles retained the title against Cena and Ambrose in a triple threat match after pinning Cena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Survivor Series on November 20, Styles made up Team SmackDown alongside Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton and Shane McMahon in the 5-on-5 Survivor Series match, defeating Team Raw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 4, Styles retained the championship over Ambrose in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match after James Ellsworth interfered and pushed Ambrose off a ladder and through several tables.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles then resumed his feud with Cena leading into the Royal Rumble on January 29, 2017,<ref name="Smackdown12272016">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where Styles was defeated for the championship, ending his reign at 140 days.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On February 12 at Elimination Chamber, Styles competed in an Elimination Chamber match against Cena, Baron Corbin, Wyatt, Ambrose and The Miz for the WWE Championship,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which Wyatt won.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the following episode of SmackDown Live, Styles failed to regain the title from Wyatt in a triple threat match also involving Cena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March, Styles began a feud with SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon, due to Styles' frustration of being unable to reclaim the WWE Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania 33 on April 2, Styles defeated McMahon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the following episode of SmackDown Live, Styles shook hands with McMahon, turning face in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the April 11 episode of SmackDown Live, Styles defeated Corbin and Sami Zayn to become the number one contender for the United States Championship at Backlash on May 21,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but lost his match for the title against Kevin Owens by countout.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After Styles again became the number one contender to Owens' championship,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a title match was set for Battleground.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, on July 7, two weeks before the pay-per-view, Styles defeated Owens during a house show at Madison Square Garden to capture the United States Championship for the first time in his career.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Battleground on July 23, Styles lost the title back to Owens,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but regained it two days later on SmackDown Live in a triple threat match also involving a returning Chris Jericho.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At SummerSlam on August 20, Styles retained the title against Owens with Shane McMahon as the special guest referee.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles once again defeated Owens two days later on SmackDown Live to end the feud.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In September, he began a feud with Tye Dillinger and Baron Corbin,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> leading to a triple threat match at Hell in a Cell on October 8,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where Styles lost the title to Corbin who pinned Dillinger, ending his reign at 75 days.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two days later on SmackDown Live, Styles failed to regain the title from Corbin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Year-long WWE Championship reign (2017–2018)
On the October 17 episode of SmackDown Live, Styles began a rivalry with then WWE Champion Jinder Mahal, confronting and attacking him.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 22, Styles appeared at Raw's exclusive event TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, competing against Finn Bálor due to Bálor's original opponent Bray Wyatt not being cleared to compete,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where he was defeated by Bálor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the November 7 episode of SmackDown Live in Manchester, England, Styles defeated Mahal to win the WWE Championship for the second time in what marked the first time the title changed hands on SmackDown since September 2003, becoming recognized by WWE as the first titleholder crowned outside of North America<ref name="wwerecognition">Template:Cite web</ref> (Antonio Inoki had won the title in Japan in 1979,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but this reign is unrecognized by WWE).<ref name="wwetitlehistory"/> With the win, Styles replaced Mahal in the champion vs. champion match at Survivor Series against Universal Champion Brock Lesnar on November 19,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but lost.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Clash of Champions on December 17, Styles defeated Mahal via submission in his first title defense.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His next feud came against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, whom he lost back-to-back matches to due to interference,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> leading to a handicap championship match at the Royal Rumble on January 28, 2018,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which Styles won.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles retained the title against Owens, Zayn, John Cena, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler in a six-pack challenge at Fastlane on March 11.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
At WrestleMania 34 on April 8, Styles successfully defended the title against Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura. After the match, however, Styles was subjected to a classless assault by Nakamura.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This led to a rematch between the two on April 27 at the Greatest Royal Rumble,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where they fought to a double countout, but Styles retained the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Another rematch was made for Backlash on May 6 with a no disqualification stipulation,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where Styles and Nakamura fought to a no contest after low blowing each other, again retaining the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Their feud ended at Money in the Bank on June 17,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where Styles defeated Nakamura to retain the WWE Championship in a Last Man Standing match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After retaining the title against Rusev at Extreme Rules on July 15,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles became the longest-reigning WWE Champion in SmackDown history on August 14, surpassing the 280-day record set by John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the July 24 episode of SmackDown Live, Styles started a feud with Samoa Joe, after he was attacked by Joe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles retained the title at SummerSlam on August 19, despite losing via disqualification.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles' and Joe's rivalry continued over Styles' wife, Wendy, where Joe claimed he would defeat Styles and become the "new daddy",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> leading to a rematch at Hell in a Cell on September 16,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which Styles won in controversial fashion to retain the title; Styles submitted to Joe during a roll-up, however, the referee did not see the submission and counted the pin, allowing Styles to retain the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles retained the title against Joe at Super Show-Down on October 6 by submission<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Crown Jewel on November 2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the October 30 episode of SmackDown Live, Styles defeated Daniel Bryan to retain the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 7, Styles surpassed the 365-day mark of his title reign, becoming the 8th man to have held the WWE Championship for a continuous reign of a full year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the November 13 episode of SmackDown Live, Styles lost the WWE Championship to Bryan following a low blow, ending his reign at 371 days.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles failed to regain the title from Bryan at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 16.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Return of The O.C. (2019–2020)
At Royal Rumble on January 27, 2019, Styles once again failed to win the title, after a returning Rowan attacked Styles when the referee was incapacitated and allowed Bryan to retain the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He took part in the Elimination Chamber match at the eponymous event on February 17, but was eliminated by Randy Orton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles and Orton then started making disparaging comments about one another, starting a feud between the two.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Fastlane on March 10, after Orton interrupted Elias, Styles hit Orton with a Phenomenal Forearm out of nowhere.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This led to a confrontation between the two on the March 12 episode of SmackDown Live, in which Styles challenged Orton to a match at WrestleMania 35.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania on April 7, Styles defeated Orton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The next day, it was reported that Styles had an injury during his match with Orton and was sent home to recover.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles did not appear on the SmackDown Live following WrestleMania, and it was reported to be a hip injury.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On April 15, Styles was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the Superstar Shake-up.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following week on Raw, chief executive officer Triple H scheduled two triple threat matches, with the winners facing each other to determine the next contender against Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship.<ref name="prowrestling.net">Template:Cite web</ref> Styles defeated fellow draftees Rey Mysterio and Samoa Joe in the triple threat match<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and then defeated Baron Corbin to earn a Universal Championship match against Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He then began a slow heel turn as he became more aggressive in the ring, walked out on Rollins in a tag team match, and criticized Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (who had also moved back to Raw) when they lost a match for being overconfident.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the event on May 19, Styles failed to win the title from Rollins.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In June, Styles aligned again with Gallows and Anderson under the name "The O.C." ("Original Club"),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> turning heel,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and defeating Ricochet at Extreme Rules to win the United States Championship for a third time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At SummerSlam on August 11, Styles successfully retained the title against Ricochet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles then retained his title against Cedric Alexander at Clash of Champions on September 15 and Humberto Carrillo at Crown Jewel on October 31.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Survivor Series on November 24, Styles was defeated by NXT North American Champion Roderick Strong in an interbrand triple-threat match also involving Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the November 25 episode of Raw, Styles lost the title to Rey Mysterio, ending his reign at 134 days.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Starting 2020, Styles began a feud with The Undertaker when he was defeated at Super ShowDown in a gauntlet match for the Tuwaiq Trophy<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and lost against Aleister Black at Elimination Chamber after interference from The Undertaker.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles and The Undertaker wrestled at WrestleMania 36, where Styles was defeated in the main event of Night 1 in a Boneyard match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 15, both Anderson and Gallows were released from their WWE contracts as part of budget cuts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, disbanding The O.C.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Alliance with Omos (2020–2021)
Template:Main After a brief hiatus, Styles returned on the May 4 episode of Raw, winning a gauntlet match for a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match at Money in the Bank on May 10,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where he failed to capture the briefcase.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the May 22 episode of SmackDown, Styles was traded to the brand as he was announced as a participant in the Intercontinental Championship tournament. He defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in the first round,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and earned a bye to the finals after his scheduled opponent Elias was unable to compete.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the June 12 episode of SmackDown, Styles defeated Daniel Bryan to win the Intercontinental Championship for the first time.<ref name="SmackDown06122020">Template:Cite web</ref> During the following weeks, Styles made successful defenses against the likes of Drew Gulak and Gran Metalik<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> before losing the title to Jeff Hardy on the August 21 episode of SmackDown, ending his reign at 70 days.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Clash of Champions on September 27, Styles failed to regain the title in a triple threat ladder match that was won by Sami Zayn.<ref name="COC2020">Template:Cite web</ref>
As part of the 2020 Draft in October, Styles was drafted back to the Raw brand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the October 19 episode of Raw, Styles debuted a new bodyguard, Omos.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Survivor Series on November 22, Styles captained Team Raw to a clean sweep victory against Team SmackDown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the November 30 episode of Raw, Styles defeated Keith Lee and Riddle in a triple threat match to face Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 20,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but he failed to win the title in a TLC match as The Miz unsuccessfully cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase during the match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the Royal Rumble on January 31, 2021, Styles entered the Royal Rumble match at number 25, but was eliminated by Braun Strowman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Elimination Chamber on February 21, Styles competed for the WWE Championship inside the steel structure, eliminating Sheamus, but was the final man eliminated by McIntyre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 on April 10, Styles and Omos defeated The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) to win the Raw Tag Team Championship, becoming the twenty-second WWE Grand Slam Champion, and the first to achieve both the WWE and TNA/Impact Grand Slam.<ref name="WM37N1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Money in the Bank on July 18, Styles and Omos defeated The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) to retain the titles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After this, Styles and Omos began feuding with Riddle and Randy Orton, collectively known as RK-Bro.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At SummerSlam on August 21, Styles and Omos lost the Raw Tag Team Championship to RK-Bro, ending their reign at 133 days.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Extreme Rules on September 26, Styles, Omos and Bobby Lashley lost to The New Day in a six-man tag team match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 21, at Crown Jewel, Styles and Omos failed to regain the titles from RK-Bro.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the December 20 episode of Raw, after failing to win matches over the following weeks, Styles was attacked by Omos, ending their partnership and turning face for the first time since 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The O.C. second reunion (2022–2023)
At Royal Rumble on January 29, 2022, Styles entered at number one and eliminated six wrestlers before being eliminated by Madcap Moss.<ref name="MenRumble">Template:Cite web</ref> Styles failed to win the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber on February 19, inside the namesake structure, after being eliminated by eventual winner Brock Lesnar.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the February 28 episode of Raw, Styles accepted an open challenge from Edge for a match at WrestleMania 38, which resulted in him being attacked by Edge afterwards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On Night 2 of WrestleMania on April 3, Styles lost to Edge following a distraction from Damian Priest.<ref name="WM38N2">Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania Backlash on May 8, Styles again lost to Edge after interference from Rhea Ripley.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles then aligned himself with former Bullet Club stablemate Finn Bálor and Liv Morgan and challenged the newly formed faction called The Judgment Day, consisting of Edge, Priest and Ripley to a six-person mixed tag team match at Hell In a Cell on June 5,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which The Judgment Day won.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On June 19, Styles appeared via video message at Impact Wrestling's Slammiversary, congratulating Impact on their 20 year anniversary.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On the July 4 episode of Raw, Styles defeated The Miz and was attacked by him and Ciampa after the match, starting a feud between them.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At SummerSlam on July 30, Styles distracted Miz during his match against Logan Paul by attacking Ciampa, causing him to lose.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the August 1 episode of Raw, Styles defeated Miz and Mustafa Ali in a triple threat match but lost to Ciampa later that night, failing to earn an opportunity at the United States Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the following episode of Raw, Styles defeated The Miz in a no disqualification match to end their feud.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the August 15 episode of Raw, he faced Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship in a losing effort.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the following weeks, Styles would rekindle his feud with The Judgment Day (which now included Bàlor and Dominik Mysterio), turning down numerous offers by Bàlor to join them. On the October 10 episode of Raw, Styles feigned joining The Judgment Day, leading to Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson returning to WWE to aid Styles in attacking them, reforming The O.C..<ref name="Raw10102022">Template:Cite web</ref> At Crown Jewel on November 5, The O.C. lost to The Judgment Day after interference from Ripley.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Three weeks later at Survivor Series on November 26, Styles defeated Bálor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the following episode of Raw, The O.C. were defeated by The Judgment Day in an eight-person mixed tag team match to end their feud.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 29, Styles suffered a legitimate broken ankle during a house show, and would be out of action though the injury would not require surgery.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Styles was drafted to the SmackDown brand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the May 12 episode of SmackDown, Styles won the right to compete for the newly established World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions by first defeating Edge and Rey Mysterio in a triple threat match, and then defeating Bobby Lashley, who had won a similar triple threat match.<ref name="WHC">Template:Cite web</ref> On May 27, at Night of Champions, Styles lost to Seth Rollins in a match to crown the inaugural World Heavyweight Champion.<ref name="NOC2023">Template:Cite web</ref> After a brief feud with Karrion Kross,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles feuded with The Bloodline, losing to Solo Sikoa on the September 1 episode of SmackDown after interference from Jimmy Uso.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> John Cena came to his aid and set up a tag team match between him and Styles against Uso and Sikoa for Fastlane, however, Styles was taken out by Sikoa backstage on the September 22 episode of SmackDown, removing him from the match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was replaced by LA Knight the following week.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Championship pursuits (2023–2025)
After a two-month hiatus, Styles returned on the December 15 episode of SmackDown, assisting Knight and Randy Orton in fending off The Bloodline before attacking Knight.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following week on SmackDown, The O.C. greeted Styles but he blew them off for not coming to his aid when he was taken out by The Bloodline.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Royal Rumble on January 27, 2024, Styles failed to capture the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from Roman Reigns in a fatal four-way match also involving Knight and Orton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the February 9 episode of SmackDown, Styles lost to Drew McIntyre in a qualifying match for the Elimination Chamber match following a distraction from Knight.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the eponymous event on February 24, Styles would interfere in the Elimination Chamber match by attacking Knight with a chair and performing a Styles Clash on him with it, turning heel for the first time since December 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the March 15 episode of SmackDown, Styles was challenged by Knight to a match at WrestleMania XL, which Styles accepted.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On Night 2 of WrestleMania XL on April 7, Styles lost to Knight.<ref name="WM40N2">Template:Cite web</ref>
On the following episode of SmackDown, Styles participated in the Undisputed WWE Championship Eliminator Tournament, defeating Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio in the semifinals.<ref name="SmackDown04122024">Template:Cite web</ref> Styles defeated Knight on the April 19 episode of SmackDown to end their feud and challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Backlash France.<ref name="SmackDown04192024">Template:Cite web</ref> At the event on May 4, Styles failed to win the title, but the match received a 5-star rating from Dave Meltzer, marking his second 5-star rated match.<ref name="BacklashFrance">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the May 31 episode of SmackDown, Styles delivered an apparent retirement speech and called Rhodes out to the ring, which was revealed to be a ruse after he attacked Rhodes and realigned with Gallows and Anderson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the June 7 episode of SmackDown, Rhodes challenged Styles to an "I Quit" match for the championship at Clash at the Castle: Scotland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the event on June 15, Styles again lost to Rhodes, ending their feud.<ref name="ClashCastleScotland">Template:Cite web</ref> On July 13, Styles made an appearance for Pro Wrestling Noah, defeating Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH Destination.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Styles returned as a face on the October 4 episode of SmackDown, where he was confronted by Carmelo Hayes. During a match between the two that night, Styles suffered an ankle injury, causing Hayes to win the match via referee stoppage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Styles later confirmed that he had suffered a Lisfranc injury.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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Return from injury and TNA Slammiversary appearance (2025)
At Royal Rumble on February 1, 2025, Styles made his first appearance since October, entering the titular match at number 21, where he eliminated LA Knight before being eliminated by Logan Paul.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two days later on Raw, it was announced that Styles was transferred to the Raw brand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania 41, Styles lost to Paul after refusing to use brass knuckles given to him by Karrion Kross.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On July 20, 2025 at TNA Slammiversary, through WWE's partnership with TNA, Styles made his first appearance at a TNA event in eleven years, during which he congratulated the newly crowned TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater.<ref name="Slammiversary2025">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Styles next began feuding with Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship, leading to a match at SummerSlam.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the second night of the event on August 3, Styles failed to win the title from Mysterio.<ref name="SSlam2025N2">Template:Cite web</ref> On August 16, he made an appearance for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, WWE's sister company, appearing at their flagship event Triplemanía XXXIII to cost Mysterio the AAA Mega Championship.<ref name="Triplemanía33">Template:Cite web</ref> He failed to win the Intercontinental Championship from Mysterio on the September 1 episode of Raw in Paris, France following interference from El Grande Americano.<ref name="Raw09012025">Template:Cite web</ref>
Retirement plans (2025–present)
On September 23, WWE announced that Styles would face John Cena at Crown Jewel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In an interview with Tokyo Sports on September 26, Styles stated that he plans to retire soon, noting that his match at the WWE SuperShow Japan house show would likely be his final match in Japan. Although his contract is reportedly set to expire in February 2026, he mentioned the possibility of appearing at WrestleMania 42. Styles also revealed that he intends to work as a trainer in WWE following his in-ring retirement, though the decision has not yet been finalized.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 10, during the Crown Jewel: Perth Kickoff show, Styles confirmed his plans to retire in 2026, citing his concerns about no longer being able to perform at his expected level and his desire to spend more time with his family as reasons for his decision.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following day, Styles lost his Crown Jewel match against Cena.<ref name="CrownJewel2025">Template:Cite web</ref>
On October 17 at the WWE SuperShow Japan house show, Styles wrestled his final match on Japanese soil, defeating Kofi Kingston.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Three nights later on Raw, Styles and Dragon Lee won the World Tag Team Championship by defeating Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh of The Judgment Day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Legacy
In a 2016 article, Pro Wrestling Torch journalist Michael Moore noted that Styles "has long been regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world".<ref name="moore">Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2012, IGN UK columnist Matt Fowler ranked Styles at number 38 in his top 50 professional wrestlers of all-time list.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Luke Winkie of Sports Illustrated listed him as the 46th greatest wrestler of all time in 2016, noting that: "Honestly, in a couple years it wouldn't surprise me if A.J. belongs in the top 20."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Ayub Nouinou, a columnist for The Independent, described him as the "crown jewel" of TNA for more than a decade, before "applying his craft" for NJPW and ROH, among others.<ref name="nouinou">Template:Cite web</ref> Nouinou went on to state that Styles had "established himself as one of the best talents on the planet over the last two years (2014 and 2015)" and noted that pertaining to Styles' 2016 WWE signing "the addition of Styles would have to be considered one of the greatest signings since the turn of the millennium".<ref name="nouinou"/> Finally, Nouinou made the prediction that "Styles can be the superstar that spearheads WWE into a new era".<ref name="nouinou"/> Josh Barnett, a columnist for USA Today, stated in March 2017 that Styles "could be considered the MVP of WWE over the last year". Barnett also added that in 2016 Styles had "some of the WWE's best matches, including multiple matches against John Cena and Roman Reigns", while also noting that he "is considered one of the rare performers who can have a great match with anyone".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By late 2021, Philip Lindsey of Bleacher Report wrote that Styles was considered "one of the best in-ring competitors in the world. Many top stars have had some of their most memorable matches opposite this high-flying technician."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Many of Styles' peers have praised him as being one of the greatest in-ring performers. Kurt Angle named him as the best wrestler that he ever wrestled, calling him a "rare breed".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Stone Cold Steve Austin dubbed Styles "the best wrestler on two feet",<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> while The Undertaker, whom Styles faced in his retirement match, described him as "probably the best in the business... [the] closest to Shawn Michaels that there is."<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> The comparison to Shawn Michaels was also made by renowned professional wrestling promoter and manager Paul Heyman, who stated that: "He's everything that Shawn Michaels, and Bret Hart, and Ric Flair were to their generation and he's updated it. He's evolved their styles to truly be the single most phenomenal in-ring performer I have ever had the honour and the pleasure of watching up close".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Other media
In 2003, ROH released Evolution of a Phenom: The Best of AJ Styles, a DVD which covers Styles from his debut to mid-2003. In 2004, ROH released The Phenomenon Continues: The Best of AJ Styles Vol. 2, a follow-up DVD to the original released in 2003. Also in 2004, TNA released Phenomenal: The Best of A.J. Styles, a DVD covering Styles' best matches.
In 2006, ROH released a shoot interview featuring Styles, alongside Christopher Daniels for the promotions "Straight ShootinTemplate:'" series. In 2007, TNA released Phenomenal: The Best of A.J. Styles Volume 2, a follow-up DVD to the original released in 2004. Also in 2007, Styles was mentioned in the Insane Clown Posse song "Scatterbrain" off their EP Eye of the Storm.
In 2008, Styles helped develop the first TNA wrestling video game known as TNA Impact!, which was released the same year on September 9.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2009, Styles was featured on MTV's Made trying to help a young high schooler become a professional wrestler alongside Taylor Wilde and The Beautiful People (Angelina Love and Velvet Sky).
In 2011, Styles was featured in the music video for country singer Sarah Darling's song "Something to Do with Your Hands".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2012, Styles and Montell Jordan presented the award for Best Rap/Hip Hop Record of the Year to Lecrae at the 43rd annual GMA Dove Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2013, ROH released AJ Styles - Styles Clash, a 2-disc DVD featuring Styles' best ROH matches from 2002 to 2005.
In 2016, TNA released The Essential AJ Styles Collection, a 4-disc DVD set showcasing Styles' top 30 greatest TNA matches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2018, it was announced that Styles would be on the cover for WWE 2K19.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> He selected the song "Survival" by Eminem to appear in the soundtrack.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Filmography
Television
| Year | Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Made | Himself<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Coach Episode: "Pro Wrestler: Rebecca" |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | TNA Impact! | Himself | Playable character<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2008 | Pro Wrestling X | Technical consultant | Does not appear in-game |
| 2009 | TNA Wrestling | Himself | Playable character |
| 2010 | TNA Impact!: Cross The Line | Playable character | |
| 2011 | TNA Wrestling Impact! | Playable character | |
| 2016 | WWE 2K17 | Playable character | |
| 2017 | WWE 2K18 | Playable character | |
| 2018 | WWE 2K19 | Playable character, cover star<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2019 | WWE 2K20 | Playable character | |
| 2020 | WWE 2K Battlegrounds | Playable character | |
| 2022 | WWE 2K22 | Playable character | |
| 2023 | WWE 2K23 | Playable character | |
| 2024 | WWE 2K24 | Playable character | |
| 2025 | WWE 2K25 | Playable character |
Web
| Year | Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Marvel Super Heroes: What The--?! | Cannonball | Episode: "Winter Games: Day 9" |
| 2016 | Superstar Ink | Himself | |
| 2016–2020 | UpUpDownDown | Himself/Prince of Phenomenal | Regular appearances |
| 2017 | Southpaw Regional Wrestling | Malibu Al | Regular appearances |
WWE Network
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ride Along | Himself | Episode: "Rockford" |
| 2016 | Stone Cold Podcast | Episode 11 | |
| 2016 | The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness | Episode: "Spring Break!" | |
| 2016–2020 | WWE 24 | 4 episodes | |
| 2017 | Table for 3 | Episode: "Common Bonds" |
Personal life
Jones has been married to school teacher Wendy since 2000.<ref name="xcellent">Template:Cite news</ref> They have three sons: Ajay Covell Jones (born May 3, 2005), Avery Jones (born February 14, 2007), and Albey Jones (born September 15, 2009), and a daughter, Anney Jones (born October 8, 2014).<ref name=SLAM/><ref>* Template:Cite web
- Template:Cite web8
- Template:Cite web</ref> Their first son's middle name was taken from the last name of Jones' best friend and fellow wrestler Christopher Daniels, whose real name is Daniel Covell. In 2010, Jones acquired a large tattoo down the right side of his torso which reads "AJ 05-03-05 02-14-07 09-15-09", representing his initials and birth dates of his first three children.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2016, he added the birth date of his fourth child, reading "10-08-14".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The family lives in Gainesville, Georgia.<ref name="challenges">Template:Cite web</ref>
Jones is a devout Christian, stating that in his life, "It's God first and family second."<ref name="south">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=xcellent/><ref name=NZPWI>Template:Cite web</ref> He is a fan of Christian hip hop music, and his favorite groups to listen to are the West Coast-based K2S, Lil' Raskull, FTF, and L.G. Wise. While Jones was working for TNA, he met GRITS members Stacey "Coffee" Jones and Teron "Bonafide" Carter at Universal Studios Florida, TNA's former primary television taping location. Jones would become good friends with the duo, using their remix of his entrance music "I Am", later renamed "Get Ready to Fly").<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Jones has been accused throughout his career of being homophobic and being prejudiced against LGBTQ+ people due to his use of the anti-gay slur "faggot" on numerous occasions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> NWA censored part of a NWA TNA segment in 2003, due to his use of inappropriate language, particularly his directing of the slur at Disco Inferno.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Management gave no consequences to Jones, but he did apologize stating that the slur "is a word you just say when you're when goofing off."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At a 2005 Ring of Honor show, Styles used the slur against an audience member during a match against Cima.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During a backstage segment at a Pro Wrestling Guerrilla show, Styles interrupted a promo for Kevin Steen and used the slur against him.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>
Championships and accomplishments
- AAA
- Tag Team Tournament (2006) – with Low Ki and Samoa Joe<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- All Access Wrestling
- AAW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name=OWOW/>
- Ballpark Brawl
- Natural Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- The Baltimore Sun
- WWE Male Wrestler of the Year (2016)<ref name="Baltimore2016">Template:Cite web</ref>
- WWE Best In-Ring Moment (2016) – Template:Small<ref name="Baltimore2016"/>
- Christian Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
- CWF/CWE Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name=OWOW/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Family Wrestling Entertainment
- Independent Professional Wrestling (Florida)
- IPW Heavyweight Championship (4 times)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
- IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name=SLAM/>
- Ted Petty Invitational (2004)<ref name=SLAM/>
- International Wrestling Cartel
- IWC Super Indies Championship (4 times)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Super Indy Survivor Showdown Tournament (2004)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Independent Wrestling Revolution
- IWR King of The Indies Championship (1 time)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Maximum Pro Wrestling
- Max-Pro Television Championship (1 time)<ref name=SLAM/>
- Midwest Pro Wrestling
- MPW Universal Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name=OWOW/>
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref name=WrestlingDontaku2014/><ref name=NewBeginningOsaka2015/>
- New Korea Pro Wrestling Association
- NKPWA Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name=OWOW/>
- NWA Wildside
- NWA Wildside Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- NWA Wildside Television Championship (3 times)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- NWA: Total Nonstop Action / Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- TNA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- TNA X Division Championship (6 times, inaugural)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- TNA Legends/Global/Television Championship (2 times)<ref name=OWOW/>
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Jerry Lynn (1), Abyss (1) and Christopher Daniels (2)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- TNA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Tomko (1) and Kurt Angle (1)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- First TNA Triple Crown Champion (5 times)
- First TNA Grand Slam Champion (2 times)
- Bound For Glory Series (2013)
- TNA World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contenders Tournament (Second Bracket, 2009)<ref>cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=1450&page=</ref>
- Gauntlet for the Gold (2007 – TNA World Tag Team Championship) – with Tomko<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- NWA World Tag Team Championship Tournament (2002) – with Jerry Lynn<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- TNA Year End Awards (10 times)
- Feud of the Year (2005) vs. Christopher Daniels<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Finisher of the Year (2003) Template:Small<ref name=TNA0304Awards>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Match of the Year (2006) Template:Small<ref name="SlamImpact122806">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Match of the Year (2009) vs. Sting at Bound for Glory on October 18, 2009<ref name="Dec31">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Mr. TNA (2003–2005)<ref name=SLAM/>
- Tag Team of the Year (2006) with Christopher Daniels<ref name="SlamImpact122806"/>
- X Division Star of the Year (2004, 2005)<ref name=TNA0304Awards/>
- Pennsylvania Premiere Wrestling
- PPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Tommy Suede<ref name="ReferenceA">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
- PWG World Championship (1 time)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Match of the Year (2016) Template:Small<ref name=pwi2016>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Tag Team of the Year (2006) Template:Small<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Most Popular Wrestler (2017, 2018)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Wrestler of the Year (2016–2018)<ref name=pwi2016/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Wrestler of the Decade (2010s)<ref name=PWIDecade>Template:Cite tweet</ref>
- Ranked No. 1 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 2010<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Revolution Pro Wrestling
- RPW British Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Ring of Honor
- ROH Pure Championship (1 time, inaugural)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- ROH World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Amazing Red<ref name="ROHtag">Template:Cite web</ref>
- ROH Pure Wrestling Championship Tournament (2004)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Rolling Stone
- WWE Wrestler of the Year (2016)<ref name="rollingstone.com">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
- Sports Illustrated
- Ranked No. 4 of the top 10 men's wrestlers in 2018<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
- Ranked No. 2 of the top 10 wrestlers in 2017<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
- World Wrestling All-Stars
- WWA International Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- WWA International Cruiserweight Championship Tournament (2002)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Wrestlecrap
- Gooker Award (2012) Claire Lynch (AJ Styles/Christopher Daniels and Kazarian feud).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Flying Wrestler (2005)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Best Wrestling Maneuver (2003, 2015) Styles Clash<ref name=WONAwards2015/>
- Most Outstanding Wrestler (2014–2016)<ref name=WONAwards2014/><ref name=WONAwards2015/><ref name="WONAwards2016">Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Pro Wrestling Match of the Year (2014) vs. Minoru Suzuki on August 1<ref name="WONAwards2014">Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Wrestler of the Year (2015, 2016)<ref name="WONAwards2015">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=WONAwards2016/>
- United States/Canada MVP (2018)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Worst Worked Match of the Year (2006) Template:Small<ref name="WONaward06">Template:Citation</ref>
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2017)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- WWE
- WWE Championship (2 times)<ref name="wwetitlehistory">Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn
- WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- WWE United States Championship (3 times)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- World Tag Team ChampionshipTemplate:Efn (2 times, current) – with Omos (1)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Dragon Lee (1, current)
- 32nd Triple Crown Champion
- 15th Grand Slam Champion (under current format; 22nd overall)
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament (2020)<ref name="SmackDown06122020" />
- Undisputed WWE Championship Eliminator Tournament (2024)
- Slammy Award (1 time)
- Match of the Year (2020) Template:Small
Notes
References
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- 1977 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American professional wrestlers
- 21st-century American professional wrestlers
- 20th-century male professional wrestlers
- 21st-century male professional wrestlers
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- Anderson Ravens and Lady Ravens athletes
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- American Christians
- Christians from North Carolina
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- IWGP Heavyweight champions
- NWA/WCW/WWE United States Heavyweight Champions
- NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champions
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- People from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
- People from Gainesville, Georgia
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