There are times where a wrestler had to prove themselves all over again to get a legitimate shot at being more than a mid card performer, and on This Day in Wrestling History AJ Styles culminated that effort.
He reached the pinnacle of the WWE on September 11, 2016 when he defeated Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship at Backlash in Richmond, Virginia.
The match itself was a classic in many ways and helped to close out what many believe was the last great year for the WWE.
Finding a new home
Since winning the Monday Night Wars, Vince McMahon and the WWE scoured the other companies and Indies in search of their top talent so they could sign them and remove a threat while enhancing their own.
This led to a bloated roster, and the belief that everyone is a WWE castoff because it’s often difficult to keep up with all of the smaller promotions.
AJ Styles was TNA (Impact Wrestling) and he was one of the top performers in the world, and he reportedly said he’d still be there had Dixie Carter not tried to drastically cut his pay.
New Beginnings
So, Styles found himself in the WWE to begin this journey and prove himself to Vince McMahon and the WWE fanbase that he was every bit as great and what they had on the roster, and all it took was a talk with the boss himself.
Special thanks to @awrestlinghistorian for the transcript.
“From my understanding, I was looked at as a mid-card at best in the WWE. That was the plan and I was okay with that because it was still a great job, a great payday and a great way to take care of my family. I didn’t necessarily think that’s where I was going to be but there was that time when I made my debut and fans knew who I was in Orlando. They made some noise and it was pretty great. Vince McMahon assumed it was a fluke. He didn’t think too much of A.J. Styles.
“I don’t even think I was supposed to be on Raw that next Monday. But the turning point where Vince really saw something in me was when I had a regular match, a babyface match, went out and did my thing. I came back to gorilla and Vince says, ‘Come here for a second. I’ve got other guys who can do exactly what you just did out there. You didn’t do anything special.
“I need a pitbull. I need a guy who just attacks. I need a guy who gets after it.’
“I said ‘Well, I know that guy. I know exactly who that guy is.’ and there was the opportunity to be on Miz TV and I handled it just like I was ready to eat this guy’s lunch and basically, I think the way that turned out was the turning point for Vince.” – AJ Styles, Dirtfork interview, August 15, 2018.
Much like Booker T becoming WWE Champion after being WCW Champion, seeing TNA’s top performer make the move and win the company’s top title was a groundbreaking moment and one we’re happy to have as a This Day in Wrestling History moments.
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