Superstar of the Week - Week 3 - AJ Styles

JP Liz

The Phenomenal AJ Styles

TNA's finest and best

gimmick

AJ, funnily enough, is someone who I absolutely hated up to quite recently. Not sure why I had this opinion - could ahve been the amount of AJ Kool Aid going round.

It wa sonly when I looked at him again and was a tad more objective that I realised how good this guy actually is. Some of his ROH battles with the likes of Low Ki and Jimmy Rave are just stunning. Some of his TNA work with Daniels, Joe and Angle to name but 3 are also other worldly. If TNA can get it right, they will have a legitimate draw in the mould of HBK on their hands.

D2D

The man that brought TNA to my attention.

Wompa1

What a talent...alot of what he does is glorified acrobatics but when he gets a good mix of wrestling with those cool acrobatic moves its a thing of beauty...had an unbelievable triple threat in ROH with Low-Ki and Daniels. He is Phenomenal. TNA's top talent

Perrin

The reason I started to follow wrestling,simply phenomenal.

Lone Kimono

The first wrestler that caught my eye when I first watched TNA. Has been brilliant ever since. If there is one wrestler that deserves his moniker then its 'The Phenomenal one'.

Machismo Fan

Best wrestler in the world if you ask me, this guy can do very little wrong and is most certainly by a long way the man to carry TNA.

Bubs101

Needless to say the guy is great in the ring but he's far from the greatest wrestler. He has absolutely 0 charisma and very little in the way of mic skills. Daniels is alot better IMO

Machismo Fan

Machismo Fan wrote: »

Best wrestler in the world if you ask me, this guy can do very little wrong and is most certainly by a long way the man to carry TNA.

:rolleyes:

There is no doubting his in-ring abilities but as far as everything else goes he's pretty useless.
One of my favourites but he's up there with Sheamus in terms of cringe-worthy promos.

Machismo Fan

Deleted User wrote: »

:rolleyes:

There is no doubting his in-ring abilities but as far as everything else goes he's pretty useless.
One of my favourites but he's up there with Sheamus in terms of cringe-worthy promos.

In fairness, AJ's promo's have improved by leaps and bounds over the last three years to the extent that he's more than competent. That period of goofy AJ during his run with Christian really brought his character.

Tricity Bendix

I think I might actually be in love with A.J.

This is the match everyone likes to talk about when it comes to Styles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X64B7SK4-XQ

Although I have to say I didn't like his match with Angle on the live show. Too many finishers. Took from the overall drama of the match.

His entrance theme is class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz54CEJMi5s

They book him so weak, though. Always getting jumped and taken out.

flahavaj

AJ's a really talented guy and one of the smoothest wrestlers on the planet. He has some tremendous, original spots, not least that backflip into a DDT he does (can't for the life of me think of what its called), he hits the Pele kick out of nowhere like no other and the Fosbury Flop (spelling?) is a sight to behold.

His charisma has improved immeasurably but hes still not got that ability to cut a money making promo like a Main Eventer in WWE would generally have to do.

But hes not the best in the world either. Hes not a ring general like say a Benoit, nor has the the ability to make pretty much anyone look good like Flair in his prime had, nor is he able to adapt his wrestling style top suit his opponents like the REAL best wretler in the world, Danielson.

I'm gonna put the cat amongst the pigeons here and say that if say Evan Bourne, (who is every bit as good athletically as AJ) was put in his position in TNA all those years ago and pushed like he was, we'd be talking about him in the same light now.

EdK

Bubs101 wrote: »

Needless to say the guy is great in the ring but he's far from the greatest wrestler. He has absolutely 0 charisma and very little in the way of mic skills. Daniels is alot better IMO

AJ Styles has done something that very few ever do, he has improved wholesale in charisma and mic skills since his early days, Still not a world beater but a drastic improvement, Also who was it that said he had an awful look?,What!

flahavaj

Tricity Bendix wrote: »

Although I have to say I didn't like his match with Angle on the live show. Too many finishers. Took from the overall drama of the match.

THE CURSE OF KURT ANGLE.

Both men's finishers looked totally useless by the end of that match. Not a good wat to introduce your champion and his moveset to a new audience IMO.

Machismo Fan

flahavaj wrote: »

I'm gonna put the cat amongst the pigeons here and say that if say Evan Bourne, (who is every bit as good athletically as AJ) was put in his position in TNA all those years ago and pushed like he was, we'd be talking about him in the same light now.

I disagree. I think AJ has that certain 'it' factor that pushes him above everybody else. He has that certain in-ring charisma that Bourne doesn't have plus he can cut a promo twenty times better than Bourne, who is frankly terrible on the mic. AJ is just an epically fantastic babyface.

flahavaj wrote: »

Both men's finishers looked totally useless by the end of that match. Not a good wat to introduce your champion and his moveset to a new audience IMO.

I agree and disagree here, while I don't think Angle should have kicked out of the Styles Clash I think of all the times they should have done that was January 4th. TNA needed that jaw dropping main events and AJ and Angle pulled out all the stops. For me, both iMPACT! and Raw were pretty even in terms of quality until AJ and Angle went out there which tilted it in iMPACT!'s favour for me, that's just my opinion though.

flahavaj

Machismo Fan wrote: »

I agree and disagree here, while I don't think Angle should have kicked out of the Styles Clash I think of all the times they should have done that was January 4th. TNA needed that jaw dropping main events and AJ and Angle pulled out all the stops. For me, both iMPACT! and Raw were pretty even in terms of quality until AJ and Angle went out there which tilted it in iMPACT!'s favour for me, that's just my opinion though.

You don't need to kick out of each other's finishers as many time as they did to have a great match though MF.

Styles hit the Clash 3 times in the match and even the third time he didn't go for the pin and need the springboard 450 to finish Angle off. Totally unnecesary IMO. A new fan looking at that match for the first time wouldn't evn be aware the Styles Clash was his main finisher after seeing that, it was made look like an ineffective transition move.

A good contrasting example I'd use is the Undertaker's tombstone piledriver, no one EVER kicks out of that. Then when Michaels actually did so in the Main Event of Mania it was one of the best nearfalls I've ever seen, literally everyone watching thought the match was done. It was a total vindication of the way they had protected the move as a strong finisher over the past 20 years of Taker's career and led to an unbelievable moment. Contrast this to the Style Clash, which is no one will take seriously now. Same with Kurt, no one takes the Angle Slam seriously anymore, it hasn't finished a match in donkey's years and even the Ankle lock has to be put on about 5 times before it has the desired effect.

I'm a firm believer in finishers being actual finishers, pisses me of no end when they're abused.

Tricity Bendix

Angle could hit an Olympic Slam off the top rope and no-one wold actually expect him to get a pinfall from it, ffs.

I thought bringing in the springboard 450 splash might give Styles a little something extra, but no, Angle had to kick out of that one, too.

As for Evan Bourne being his equal, I'd doubt that. Bourne just doesn't seem to have the gravitas or the charisma. Styles screams "Look At ME!" whereas Bourne screams "Midcard Jobber!"

And, as EDK said about Styles' look, what?!

flahavaj

Tricity Bendix wrote: »

Angle could hit an Olympic Slam off the top rope and no-one wold actually expect him to get a pinfall from it, ffs.

I thought bringing in the springboard 450 splash might give Styles a little something extra, but no, Angle had to kick out of that one, too.

As for Evan Bourne being his equal, I'd doubt that. Bourne just doesn't seem to have the gravitas or the charisma. Styles screams "Look At ME!" whereas Bourne screams "Midcard Jobber!"

And, as EDK said about Styles' look, what?!

Bourne has every bit as much in ring charisma as AJ did at his stage of his career. And hes just as smooth in-ring as AJ. If he was given the chances and opportunities AJ has over the past 7 years and the chance to hone his promo skills and presence he'd be just as good I reckon. They're actually uncannily similar.

Jolt2007

I have no idea why I was thinking it, but earlier today (I guess yesterday now) I thinking of AJ and Evan and they really are similar. I really don't see this charisma people are saying AJ has. Hell if you took Joe Random and showed him an AJ match followed by a (non squash) Bourne match and asked him which is a top guy the likely response would be "That was two different guys?!" The only thing making both guys stand out is their incredible in ring ability, but in every other way I find them rather bland.

Tricity Bendix

flahavaj wrote: »

Bourne has every bit as much in ring charisma as AJ did at his stage of his career. And hes just as smooth in-ring as AJ. If he was given the chances and opportunities AJ has over the past 7 years and the chance to hone his promo skills and presence he'd be just as good I reckon. They're actually uncannily similar.

I dunno. I can watch a Styles match from 8 years ago and think to myself "wow, this guy could be a star". Take the inaugeral X division title match. His performance as the gutsy young face made him stand out. I don't want to take away from Bourne too much, as I think he's very athletic and when he's given time his matches are a breath of fresh air. But I think he lacks the depth that AJ has.

flahavaj

Tricity Bendix wrote: »

I dunno. I can watch a Styles match from 8 years ago and think to myself "wow, this guy could be a star". Take the inaugeral X division title match. His performance as the gutsy young face made him stand out. I don't want to take away from Bourne too much, as I think he's very athletic and when he's given time his matches are a breath of fresh air. But I think he lacks the depth that AJ has.

What exactly does this depth consist of though?

Anyone remember the AJ match Vs Punk in ROH in the final of the Pure Title Tourny? Punk spent the whole match telling the story of working over AJ's leg repeatedly, to the point where you couldn't miss it. Yet AJ goes and ruins the whole thing by totally no-selling the injury once he went back on offfence. Now I'm not being nit-picky here, it was REALLy obvious and really bad, to the point where the match has gained a certain notoriety over the years. Certainly not the work of the best in the world anyway.

Tricity Bendix

flahavaj wrote: »

What exactly does this depth consist of though?

A good part of it would be the ability to portray a character in the ring, which I think AJ is superb at. By contrast, I haven't a clue what character Evan Bourne is trying to get across. Even when he took the mic last week, I thought his promo was kinda heelish.

Anyone remember the AJ match Vs Punk in ROH in the final of the Pure Title Tourny? Punk spent the whole match telling the story of working over AJ's leg repeatedly, to the point where you couldn't miss it. Yet AJ goes and ruins the whole thing by totally no-selling the injury once he went back on offfence. Now I'm not being nit-picky here, it was REALLy obvious and really bad, to the point where the match has gained a certain notoriety over the years. Certainly not the work of the best in the world anyway.

Deffo not the best in world. Perhaps the most exciting in the world.

Bubs101

Styles' look is pathetically bad. I find it hard to compare his facial expressions but the closest one I can think of is when Gary Breen scored against Saudi Arabia and looked shocked. AJ does that all the time. Also has a pathetically bad haircut.

I completely agree with Fla here. The reason TNA fans worship him so much is because of loyalty, not because he has an unparraleled ability.

Machismo Fan

flahavaj wrote: »

You don't need to kick out of each other's finishers as many time as they did to have a great match though MF.

Styles hit the Clash 3 times in the match and even the third time he didn't go for the pin and need the springboard 450 to finish Angle off. Totally unnecesary IMO. A new fan looking at that match for the first time wouldn't evn be aware the Styles Clash was his main finisher after seeing that, it was made look like an ineffective transition move.

A good contrasting example I'd use is the Undertaker's tombstone piledriver, no one EVER kicks out of that. Then when Michaels actually did so in the Main Event of Mania it was one of the best nearfalls I've ever seen, literally everyone watching thought the match was done. It was a total vindication of the way they had protected the move as a strong finisher over the past 20 years of Taker's career and led to an unbelievable moment. Contrast this to the Style Clash, which is no one will take seriously now. Same with Kurt, no one takes the Angle Slam seriously anymore, it hasn't finished a match in donkey's years and even the Ankle lock has to be put on about 5 times before it has the desired effect.

I'm a firm believer in finishers being actual finishers, pisses me of no end when they're abused.

I agree that three was major, major overkill and he should have finished him with the Spiral Tap rather than a move Angle already kicked out of. AJ has more than enough high impact moves that would classify as near falls without devaluing his finishers, we'll see how they do with their Genesis match, but are ROH not notorious for constant kicking out of finishers? Plus 'Taker sold that kickout awesomely, the look of pure shock on his face after Michaels kicked out was the best facial I've seen in wrestling bar none.

Being honest I don't think there's any comparison between AJ and Bourne. I've been going through some old TNA weekly PPV's and even back then at such an early stage AJ looked like a future star. Watching some of Bourne's WSX promo's they're atrocious, much worse than AJ back in the Weekly PPV days and I've always thought Amazing Red was a better flyer than Bourne. I don't like AJ just because of some kind of blind loyalty, that's just ludicrous. I honestly think he's the best wrestler in the world, if you said that I could only watch one person's matches for the rest of my life I wouldn't even think twice. Just my opinion though.

Tricity Bendix

Bubs101 wrote: »

Styles' look is pathetically bad. I find it hard to compare his facial expressions but the closest one I can think of is when Gary Breen scored against Saudi Arabia and looked shocked. AJ does that all the time. Also has a pathetically bad haircut.

I dont want to turn this place into the LGB forum or anything, but he's probably the most attractive man in wrestling. In my opinion.

flahavaj

Machismo Fan wrote: »

I agree that three was major, major overkill and he should have finished him with the Spiral Tap rather than a move Angle already kicked out of. AJ has more than enough high impact moves that would classify as near falls without devaluing his finishers, we'll see how they do with their Genesis match, but are ROH not notorious for constant kicking out of finishers? Plus 'Taker sold that kickout awesomely, the look of pure shock on his face after Michaels kicked out was the best facial I've seen in wrestling bar none.

Being honest I don't think there's any comparison between AJ and Bourne. I've been going through some old TNA weekly PPV's and even back then at such an early stage AJ looked like a future star. Watching some of Bourne's WSX promo's they're atrocious, much worse than AJ back in the Weekly PPV days and I've always thought Amazing Red was a better flyer than Bourne. I don't like AJ just because of some kind of blind loyalty, that's just ludicrous. I honestly think he's the best wrestler in the world, if you said that I could only watch one person's matches for the rest of my life I wouldn't even think twice. Just my opinion though.

They are to be fair, it gets a bit annoying after a time even for me. I suppose the thing is if thats the kinda match I want to see I'll throw some ROH or Dragon Gate on, but when I tune to a WWE or TNA PPV Main Event I expect them to protect their moves a little more and use a bit of psychology.

flahavaj

Tricity Bendix wrote: »

I dont want to turn this place into the LGB forum or anything, but he's probably the most attractive man in wrestling. In my opinion.

Grizzly Redwood says hello.

flahavaj

Also the Gary Breen/AJ comparison is harsh.

When did anyone ever dream of a team of AJ Styles' in fairness?

fatal

AJ,what a guy.He is simply phenomenal!!
Theres not much to say about him that hasn't been said already,but I was a fan of his when TNA first hit our tv screens and i'm and ever bigger fan now.I'm so glad he didn't sign for WWE,especially after that appearance on Heat(I think)

Bubs101

flahavaj wrote: »

When did anyone ever dream of a team of AJ Styles' in fairness?

Tricity bendex dreams of being double teamed by a team of AJ Styles'

EdK

AJ Styles looks every bit a pro wrestler,are we really discussing haircuts now?,really?

Tricity Bendix

If I didn't before, I certainly will now.

edit: dream of a team of AJs, not discuss his hair

Bubs101

EdK wrote: »

AJ Styles looks every bit a pro wrestler,are we really discussing haircuts now?,really?

I know the net may try to ignore it but there is a reason that WWE has always gone for a certain look and have limited their developmental to finding people who fit that look, in many ways it's the most important part of wrestling because for most people without a good look there is only so far they can go. AJ could never make it to the top of WWE because of it for example and rightly so. He may look every bit a pro wrestler but he looks nothing like a champion.

EdK

What does a champion look like? Many worthy champions over the years have had all kinds of looks it's alittle to do with it but it's not a major factor

WWE may as well invest in cloning they just want the same blandly dressed (ring gear) all American over and over again,is that supposed to be a good thing? A roster full of Ted DiBiases?

flahavaj

EdK wrote: »

What does a champion look like? Many worthy champions over the years have had all kinds of looks it's alittle to do with it but it's not a major factor

WWE may as well invest in cloning they just want the same blandly dressed (ring gear) all American over and over again,is that supposed to be a good thing? A roster full of Ted DiBiases?

I can see it now, Survivor Series 2011

A Team of AJ Styles' Vs A Team of Ted Dibiases'. Special hands on guest referee, Tricity Bendix.

Tricity Bendix

Bubs101 wrote: »

I know the net may try to ignore it but there is a reason that WWE has always gone for a certain look and have limited their developmental to finding people who fit that look, in many ways it's the most important part of wrestling because for most people without a good look there is only so far they can go. AJ could never make it to the top of WWE because of it for example and rightly so. He may look every bit a pro wrestler but he looks nothing like a champion.

What is it about his look that makes him look nothing like a champion?

I never would have thought he had a "haircut". I always just thought he had "hair".

Bubs101

EdK wrote: »

What does a champion look like? Many worthy champions over the years have had all kinds of looks it's alittle to do with it but it's not a major factor

WWE may as well invest in cloning they just want the same blandly dressed (ring gear) all American over and over again,is that supposed to be a good thing? A roster full of Ted DiBiases?

Who was the last WWE champion that looked like a clone?

EdK

Bubs101 wrote: »

Who was the last WWE champion that looked like a clone?

I wasn't talking about champions you said they go after a certain look, if you look at the FCW roster page many of the guys look generic, I for one like the the variety in wrestling and find it boring when everyone looks and dresses the same eg Orton, Rhodes and DiBiase

Machismo Fan

Bubs101 wrote: »

I know the net may try to ignore it but there is a reason that WWE has always gone for a certain look and have limited their developmental to finding people who fit that look, in many ways it's the most important part of wrestling because for most people without a good look there is only so far they can go. AJ could never make it to the top of WWE because of it for example and rightly so. He may look every bit a pro wrestler but he looks nothing like a champion.

vs.

flahavaj

Machismo Fan wrote: »

vs.

You don't think a shock of gimger hair and having the only body in WWE thats not tanned within an inch of its life is a unique look? I get the overall point you're making about the generic WWE look but Seamus is a very poor example of this.

EdK

Without going total mancrush that belt looks like it's made for AJ Styles

Machismo Fan

flahavaj wrote: »

You don't think a shock of gimger hair and having the only body in WWE thats not tanned within an inch of its life is a unique look? I get the overall point you're making about the generic WWE look but Seamus is a very poor example of this.

My point was the look of a champion rather than the generic point. The WWE cookie cutter debate is one for another day for me. Who looks a better champion?

EdK

flahavaj wrote: »

You don't think a shock of gimger hair and having the only body in WWE thats not tanned within an inch of its life is a unique look? I get the overall point you're making about the generic WWE look but Seamus is a very poor example of this.

Not sure he's still on the generic point I think he's moved onto who "looks like a champion" I could be wrong though

flahavaj

Machismo Fan wrote: »

My point was the look of a champion rather than the generic point. The WWE cookie cutter debate is one for another day for me. Who looks a better champion?

You ask your run of the mill non smark wrestling fan and see what they say.

They'll look at AJ and unfortunately see a midget, but they'll look at Seamus and see a heavyweight whos got a great build and unique look.

To be honest if we're to judge them both by look alone I'd pick Seamus as well, if I knew nothing else about their wrestling skills.

Machismo Fan

flahavaj wrote: »

You ask your run of the mill non smark wrestling fan and see what they say.

They'll look at AJ and unfortunately see a midget, but they'll look at Seamus and see a heavyweight whos got a great build and unique look.

To be honest if we're to judge them both by look alone I'd pick Seamus as well, if I knew nothing else about their wrestling skills.

So your saying the average American would pick Sheamus if they were put side by side?

EdK

Personally I'd rather see a guy I can relate with who can go with the best,someone with skills in the 5'10 to 6'1 bracket, I guess that's why my favourite wrestlers are Bret,Shawn,Owen Hart,Jake Roberts,Curt Hennig etc

flahavaj

Machismo Fan wrote: »

So your saying the average American would pick Sheamus if they were put side by side?

If you're asking them who looks more like a wrestling champion then yes. Seamus would win for his comparatively large size alone IMO, remember the average wrestling fan in America unfortunately is conditioned into thinking a larger build and muscle mass is a good thing, whereas cruiserweights have rarely if ever been treated as anything other than a joke by WWE (with the obvious exception of Rey).

flahavaj

EdK wrote: »

Personally I'd rather see a guy I can relate with who can go with the best,someone with skills in the 5'10 to 6'1 bracket, I guess that's why my favourite wrestlers are Bret,Shawn,Owen Hart,Jake Roberts,Curt Hennig etc

What you look for as a smart wrestling fan and what the ordinary non smart wrestling fan look for in a wrestler couldn't be further apart though in fairness.

rossie1977

Machismo Fan wrote: »

So your saying the average American would pick Sheamus if they were put side by side?

yes they would, did you see sheamus eye mike tyson the other night, sheamus actually looked like he could compete with tyson if it came to a street fight, imagine aj next to tyson

rossie1977

EdK wrote: »

Personally I'd rather see a guy I can relate with who can go with the best,someone with skills in the 5'10 to 6'1 bracket, I guess that's why my favourite wrestlers are Bret,Shawn,Owen Hart,Jake Roberts,Curt Hennig etc

jakes a legit 6'5 (or at least was at one time), funny thing is he was taller than hulk hogan in the 80s when they billed the hulkster at 6'9 lol

EdK

flahavaj wrote: »

What you look for as a smart wrestling fan and what the ordinary non smart wrestling fan look for in a wrestler couldn't be further apart though in fairness.

I'm just being honest, unfortunately the best looking wrestlers in the sterotyped sense of being 6'6 and having alot of muscle mass often lack the skills to go with the physique, put it this way I don't care relatively what you look like as long as you can actually wrestle, there is a long list of guys in wrestling who cashed alot of cheques off look alone and frankly that's bull****

just my thoughts I think I'll bow out gracefully now