When AJ Styles joined WWE in 2016, he encountered an unexpected uphill battle with Vince McMahon, the former owner of the company. Although Styles arrived with a decorated wrestling history, becoming a major figure in other promotions, he initially had to prove his value to WWE’s top leadership.
Styles quickly became recognized as one of WWE’s premier talents, winning the WWE Championship twice along with three United States Championships. He also secured the Intercontinental and Tag Team titles. However, winning these accolades did not come easily, as convincing Vince McMahon of his star power was a difficult process despite Styles’ extensive prior success.
Vince McMahon’s Initial Skepticism Toward AJ Styles’ Style and Persona
Nic Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler, shared on the Busted Open podcast that Vince McMahon initially had reservations about Styles’ marketability and potential impact. McMahon’s old-school preferences influenced his early view of Styles, partly due to the wrestler’s size and mannerisms.
“When he was coming into WWE ,behind the scenes, I was told, this is secondhand, but the boss was like, the way he saw AJ was he still had that 80s mentality: if you’re six-five, OK, I can go with you. You look like the Warlord, whatever the situation is. And AJ is jacked, but he’s not six-five. And at the time, I had heard that because of him having somewhat of a southern twang to his voice. Basically Vince here is like Heath Slater telling a joke, and is like, ‘Oh, that’s what AJ Styles is. OK, I can’t even take him seriously,’ because that’s still that mentality from his brain from, like, the 60s and 80s. Like, ‘Oh, he’s not from New York; he doesn’t have his accent that we have,'” he said.
McMahon’s perception was influenced by outdated preferences favoring larger wrestlers with a certain look and sound, which Styles did not fit. The boss’s mentality, shaped by decades past, created an initial barrier Styles had to overcome.
AJ Styles’ Accomplished Career Before WWE Arrival
Before joining WWE, Styles had already earned respect and recognition as a key figure in TNA, where he emerged as one of the original stars and primary faces of the company. After departing TNA, he wrestled on the independent circuit for a period and later gained international acclaim in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).
During his time in NJPW, Styles became leader of the Bullet Club faction and captured the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice, further solidifying his status as a top-tier talent worldwide. These achievements added to his impressive resume before he debuted in WWE.
Overcoming Doubts and Winning Vince McMahon’s Confidence
Nic Nemeth observed that despite Styles’ extensive accomplishments, the skepticism from Vince McMahon persisted as AJ entered WWE. Styles had to continue proving himself to earn trust and establish his standing within the company.
“I heard that, I’m like, ‘Oh, come on. What, he can’t really still think that way?’ And I kind of secondhand and first heard of, like, he was fighting an uphill battle, even already coming here with all his accolades, with everything he’s done, with everything everybody knows he’s capable of. Even then he was fighting an uphill battle with the boss. And whatever he did in his body of work while he was here, which, by the way, is F’n fantastic, he won over the boss,” Nemeth added.
Styles made his WWE debut in the 2016 Royal Rumble and eventually secured major storylines. Notably, he defeated John Cena—WWE’s prominent figure at the time—cementing his status as a top contender and overcoming the initial doubts held by McMahon.
Recent Clash with Dominik Mysterio on WWE RAW
On a recent episode of WWE RAW held in France, AJ Styles challenged Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship. Mysterio had already defeated Styles at SummerSlam to retain the title, setting the stage for their renewed rivalry.
Though Styles seemed to be gaining control in the final moments, an interference from El Grande Americano disrupted the match, allowing Dominik Mysterio to hit his signature Frog Splash and retain the championship. This controversial ending prevented Styles from capturing the title, but it may lead to future rematches between the two competitors.
The Significance of AJ Styles’ Journey and What Lies Ahead
AJ Styles’ struggle to initially gain Vince McMahon’s approval highlights the challenges faced by even the most accomplished wrestlers when entering WWE. His story shows how perseverance, skill, and performance can overturn early skepticism, eventually leading to championship success and key rivalries.
While Styles continues to compete against rising talents like Dominik Mysterio, his past achievements and ongoing determination suggest he will remain a prominent figure in WWE’s evolving landscape. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Styles secures further title opportunities and continues to build on his legacy.
