AJ Styles

###

Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States

**Allen Neal Jones** (born June 2, 1977), better known by the ring name **A.J. Styles** (also formatted as **AJ Styles**), is an American professional wrestler.

Styles has long been regarded as one of the world's greatest professional wrestlers, is widely known for his 11-year tenure in USA. In 2014, he signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in his first match with the company, later becoming co-leader of Bullet Club. Between USA and NJPW, Styles has held eight world championships and 24 total championships. He has also had various championships reigns while competing on the independent circuit including the RPW British Heavyweight Championship, among many others.

## Early life

Jones was born in Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He grew up in poverty with an abusive, alcoholic father. He attended Johnson High School in Gainesville, Georgia, graduating in the class of 1996. He left college (in Anderson, South Carolina, where he was on a partial wrestling scholarship) to try professional wrestling, entering a professional wrestling school because his friends were doing it and to find out whether he had a natural aptitude for it. To supplement his income, he worked by mowing lawns and driving an ambulance.

## Professional wrestling career

### Early Appearances (2006–2008, 2013)

During his stay in TNA, Styles worked in various Japanese promotions due to a partnership with TNA.

During a partnership between TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Styles made four appearances for NJPW in 2008. On January 4, at Wrestle Kingdom II, Styles teamed with Christian Cage and Petey Williams to face RISE (Milano Collection AT, Minoru and Prince Devitt) in a six-man tag team match, in a winning effort. On February 17, Styles faced Hiroshi Tanahashi in a losing effort on Day 8 of New Japan's *ISM Tour*. 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 Shinsuke Nakamura and Angle, again in a losing effort. On November 16, 2013, Styles made his debut for Japanese promotion Wrestle-1, successfully defending the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Seiya Sanada.

### 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 NJPW and had signed a contract with the company. Styles return came on April 6 at Invasion Attack 2014, 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 heel in the process. Following Invasion Attack 2014, with Styles still working a full schedule on the American independent circuit and only booked to work NJPW's larger events, Karl Anderson was positioned as the new leader of Bullet Club. However, Styles was considered the leader of the Ring of Honor (ROH) version of Bullet Club, a role which was also given to him by NJPW by the end of 2015. Styles wrestled his first match under a New Japan contract on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2014, where he defeated Okada with help from Yujiro Takahashi to become the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion. 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. The win also made Styles the shortest IWGP Heavyweight Champion in history. 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. On May 25 at Back to the Yokohama Arena, Styles defeated Okada for his second successful title defense. 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. 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. 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.

On November 8, 2014 at Power Struggle, Styles defeated Yoshitatsu with help from Jarrett and after the match was confronted by Tetsuya Naito. During the match, Yoshitatsu legitimately broke his neck on a *Styles Clash*, leading to NJPW pushing Styles as a "killer" and the *Styles Clash* as a controversial maneuver. Later in the month, Styles entered the 2014 World Tag League, alongside Yujiro Takahashi. Despite a win over the reigning IWGP Tag Team Champions, Bullet Club stablemates Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, 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. Styles and Naito faced off in a match on January 4, 2015, at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome, where Styles was victorious. 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. On February 11, Styles defeated Tanahashi to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the second time. He made his first title defense on April 5 at Invasion Attack 2015, where he defeated 2015 New Japan Cup winner Kota Ibushi. 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. From July 20 to August 14, Styles took part in the 2015 G1 Climax. He 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. On October 12 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Styles received a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but was again defeated by Okada.

In November, Styles entered the IWGP Intercontinental Championship picture by challenging Shinsuke Nakamura to a title match. Later that month, Styles was forced to pull out of the 2015 World Tag League, where he teamed with Yujiro Takahashi, after suffering a back injury. 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. 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. 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.

## Reception

*Pro Wrestling Torch* journalist Michael Moore, in a 2016 article, noted that Styles "has long been regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world". In November 2012, *IGN UK* columnist Matt Fowler ranked Styles at number 38 in his top 50 professional wrestlers of all-time list.

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. 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".

Gold medalist and industry veteran Kurt Angle made the following statement in a February 2016 *ESPN* interview regarding Styles' wrestling ability: "I would have to say the best wrestler I wrestled was AJ Styles. He's a special talent, a rare breed...".

## Personal life

Jones is married to a school teacher named Wendy (since 2000). They have three sons: Ajay Covell Jones (born May 3, 2005), Avery Jones (born February 14, 2007), and Albey Jones (born September 15, 2009), as well as a daughter, Anney Jones (born October 8, 2014). The first child'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 his torso which reads "AJ 05-03-05 02-14-07 09-15-09", representing the initials and birth dates of his first three children. In 2016, he added the birth date of his fourth child, reading 10-08-14. The family lives in Gainesville, Georgia. Jones revealed on TNA's official website, the TNA home video release *Phenomenal: The Best of A.J. Styles Volume 2*, and in an interview with New Zealand Pro Wrestling Journalists that he grew up in a poor family and that they could not afford cable television while he was growing up, which resulted in him being unable to watch professional wrestling.

### Religion

Jones is a devout Christian, stating that in his life, "It's God first and family second." He is a big fan of Christian hip hop music, and boasts that he can "school almost any rapper" on the genre's history. 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, so much so that he used their song "Get Ready To Fly" for seven years as his second TNA theme song and stays in touch with them to this day.

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ *Calf Killer*
	+ Flying armbar – 2008–2009
	+ Frog splash
	+ *Spiral Tap* (Corkscrew senton bomb)
	+ *Styles Clash* (Belly-to-back inverted mat slam, sometimes from the second rope)
	+ *Superman* (Springboard 450° splash)
* **Signature moves**
	+ Abdominal stretch
	+ *Air Raid Crash* (Over-the-shoulder back-to-belly piledriver)
	+ Ankle lock
	+ Argentine backbreaker rack
	+ Argentine single knee facebreaker
	+ Arm wrench slam, preceded by a knee strike
	+ Baseball slide
	+ Brainbuster, sometimes onto the ring apron
	+ Belly-to-back wheelbarrow facebuster
	+ Cradle piledriver
	+ Corner clothesline, while leaping
	+ Cloverleaf
	+ Crossface
	+ Crucifix pin
	+ Dragon screw
	+ Death Valley driver, while deadlifting
	+ Discus clothesline
	+ Diving crossbody
	+ Diving knee drop
	+ Diving reverse STO
	+ Electric chair drop
	+ Elevated Boston crab
	+ Flapjack
	+ Frankensteiner, sometimes inverted or preceded by a kip-up
	+ Figure-four leglock – adopted from Ric Flair
	+ Fireman's carry cutter, sometimes on the ropes
	+ Fireman's carry facebuster
	+ Flying clothesline
	+ Forearm smash, sometimes from the apron or slingshotting
	+ *Fosbury Flop* (Over-the-top rope moonsault plancha)
	+ Gourdbuster, sometimes from the top rope
	+ Gorilla press toss
	+ Guillotine choke
	+ Handspring back elbow
	+ *Hilo* (Slingshot somersault senton)
	+ *Hollow Point* (Kneeling Ganso bomb) – 2014–2015
	+ Hooking arm drag
	+ Hurricanrana, sometimes diving
	+ Inverted atomic drop
	+ Inverted scoop brainbuster, while applying a hammerlock
	+ Knee drop, while jumping
	+ Leg drop bulldog, sometimes running or diving
	+ Multiple DDT variations
		- *Bloody Sunday* (Lifting single underhook) – 2014–2016; adopted from Prince Devitt
		- *Cliffhanger* (Crucifix powerbomb hold dropped into a sitout DDT Facebuster)
		- Inverted
		- *Phenomenon* (Springboard moonsault onto a standing opponent transitioned into an inverted)
		- Tilt-a-whirl
		- Tornado, sometimes diving
	+ Multiple kick variations
		- Crescent, sometimes spinning
		- Corner backflip
		- Discus roundhouse
		- Drop, sometimes from the top rope, or while springboarding
		- Enzuigiri, sometimes springboarding, or with a step up variation
		- Legsweep
		- *Pelé Kick* (Backflip)
		- Spin
		- Spinning heel, while jumping
		- Super
	+ Multiple suplex variations
		- Belly-to-back, while spinning
		- *Chaos Theory* (Waist-lock backward roll transitioned into a bridging German)
		- Delayed vertical
		- German, sometimes bridging or releasing
		- Leg hook Saito
		- Northern lights, to counter a Tornado DDT or bridging
		- Snap, sometimes into the turnbuckles
		- *Starmaker* (High-angle belly-to-back)
		- Super
		- *Styles Suplex Special* (German, followed by a sitout belly-to-back facebuster)
		- Vertical, lifted and dropped into a neckbreaker slam
	+ Lariat, sometimes running
	+ Leaping clothesline, sometimes from the corner
	+ *Liger Bomb* (Standing high-angle sitout powerbomb)
	+ *Muta Lock*, sometimes kneeling
	+ Over the shoulder back-to-belly piledriver
	+ *Pescado* (Slingshot plancha)
	+ Pendulum backbreaker, sometimes running
	+ *Phenomenal Blitz* (Two punches, followed by a kick to the thigh, followed by a spinning back fist, followed by a discus lariat)
	+ Powerbomb backbreaker
	+ Powerbomb, while deadlifting
	+ Pumphandle gutbuster
	+ *Rack Bomb* (Argentine backbreaker rack dropped into a powerbomb)
	+ Rolling cross armbreaker
	+ Running swinging neckbreaker
	+ Sharpshooter
	+ Swanton bomb, sometimes running or springboarding
	+ Sheerdrop piledriver, while kneeling
	+ Sleeper hold, transitioned into a La Reinera backbreaker
	+ Single leg Boston crab
	+ Single leg DDT
	+ Sitout powerbomb
	+ Shinbreaker, from the top rope
	+ Sliding forearm smash
	+ Sliding knee strike, on the apron
	+ Slingshot corkscrew splash
	+ Slingshot corkscrew plancha
	+ Slingshot forearm smash
	+ Slingshot headscissors takedown
	+ Slingshot senton
	+ *Spine Breaker* (Backbreaker, followed by a gutbuster)
	+ Spinebuster
	+ Springboard clothesline, while slingshotting
	+ Springboard crossbody, sometimes to the outside
	+ Springboard forearm smash
	+ Springboard hurricanrana
	+ Springboard leg drop
	+ Springboard moonsault, sometimes slingshotting
	+ *Spinal Tap* (Snapmare, followed by a punt kick to the back)
	+ *Stylin' Crab* (Modified Boston crab) – 2001–2002
	+ Swinging side slam, transitioned into a La Reinera backbreaker
	+ Scoop powerslam
	+ Shooting star plancha
	+ Shooting star press
	+ *Shooting Styles Press* (Springboard shooting star plancha) – 2001–2005; used rarely thereafter
	+ Somersault plancha
	+ Sunset flip powerbomb, from the top rope
	+ Super frankensteiner
	+ Tree of woe dropkick
	+ Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker
	+ Tilt-a-whirl headscissors takedown - 2009
	+ Triangle choke
	+ Twisting springboard crossbody
	+ *Ushigoroshi* (Fireman's carry neckbreaker)
* **Nicknames**
	+ "The Phenomenal (One)"
* **Entrance themes**
	+ "I Am" (Remix) by Dale Oliver (2006 - 2008 as signed to TNA)
	+ "Shot'Em" by [Q]Brick (used while a part of Bullet Club)
	+ "Styles Clash" by Yonosuke Kitamura

## Championships and accomplishments

* **New Japan Pro-Wrestling**
	+ IWGP Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

## References

1. ↑ http://profightdb.com/cards/njpw/circuit-3908-new-japan-ism---day-8-4572.html
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wrestle-1 Tour 2013  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2013-11-16). Retrieved on 2013-11-16.
3. ↑ Caldwell, James 2013-11-16. TNA news: Styles successfully defends TNA Title in Japan, former WWE talent appears after the match, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2013-11-16.
4. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (March 27, 2014). "Mar 31 2013 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Giant issue featuring nine-page Billy Robinson bio, two weeks left until WrestleMania, line-up, all the news from around the world and more". *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Campbell, California: 47. ISSN 1083-9593. A.J. Styles has signed and is going to be given a major push as a singles headliner, to work with all the big guns, with a title shot at Kazuchika Okada coming sooner than later.
5. ↑ Invasion Attack 2014  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2014-03-06.
6. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-04-06. Caldwell's NJPW PPV results 4/6: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of "Invasion Attack 2014" - Nakamura regains IC Title, A.J. Styles big angle, new NWA tag champions, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-04-06.
7. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-04-21. Styles news: A.J. Styles announced for New Japan's G1 Climax . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-05-01.
8. ↑ *ja:5月度のスマホサイトは、いま一番悪いヤツら"Bullet Club"が完全ジャック!!　アンダーソンの心中は?* (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling* (2014-04-30). Retrieved on 2014-05-01.
9. ↑ The Bullet Club are coming to WotW & Global Wars . *Ring of Honor* (2015-04-16). Retrieved on 2015-04-16.
10. ↑ Power Struggle  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2015-11-07.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 *ja:レスリングどんたく 2014* (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2014-05-03.
12. ↑ Namako, Jason 2014-05-03. AJ Styles crowned the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion . *Wrestleview*. Retrieved on 2014-05-03.
13. ↑ "新IWGP王者"AJスタイルズに直撃! 「もう誰にもIWGPを渡す気はない！俺が"カネの雨"を降らせるから心配するな！」  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling* (2014-05-12). Retrieved on 2014-05-12.
14. ↑ ５・３内藤に挑戦の１７０センチ石井が"史上最小ＩＷＧＰ王者"にこだわり  (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2016-04-25). Retrieved on 2016-04-25.
15. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-05-17. Caldwell's ROH iPPV results 5/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of War of the Worlds - ROH Title & IWGP Title main events, new ROH tag champs, Steen vs. Nakamura, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-05-17.
16. ↑ Back to the Yokohama Arena  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2014-05-25.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Caldwell, James 2014-05-25. Caldwell's NJPW iPPV results 5/25: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live show featuring Styles vs. Okada for IWGP World Title, MOTY Contender, NWA Tag Titles, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-05-25.
18. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-07-21. Caldwell's NJPW G1 Climax results 7/21 (Night 1): Complete coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Okada main event, Tanahashi, Nakamura, Shelton Benjamin, Bullet Club, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-07-21.
19. ↑ バディファイトPresents G1 Climax 24  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2014-08-08.
20. ↑ Namako, Jason 2014-08-08. 8/8 NJPW G-1 Climax Day 11 recap (Okada/Suzuki) . *Wrestleview*. Retrieved on 2014-08-08.
21. ↑ King of Pro-Wrestling  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2014-10-13.
22. ↑ PPV results - 10/13 New Japan in Tokyo, Japan: Styles drops IWGP World Hvt. Title to Tanahashi, more title changes, former WWE star returns to New Japan, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch* (2014-10-13). Retrieved on 2014-10-13.
23. ↑ Power Struggle  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2014-11-08.
24. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-11-25. NJPW news: Yoshitatsu injury update - could be out one year . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2015-01-09.
25. ↑ Meltzer, Dave 2015-01-03. New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 9 live results and recap: Tanahashi vs. Okada, Ibushi vs. Nakamura plus 4 way juniors tag . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2015-01-09. “They are putting over the Styles clash as being controversial and using the neck injury to Yoshitatsu to make Styles out to be a killer.”
26. ↑ 『World Tag League 2014』出場チーム＆公式戦が決定！ 棚橋はヨシタツとタッグ結成！ 桜庭、AJ、柴田、ROH、NWAも参戦!  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling* (2014-11-11). Retrieved on 2014-12-05.
27. ↑ World Tag League 2014  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2014-12-05.
28. ↑ World Tag League 2014  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2014-12-05.
29. ↑ Wrestle Kingdom 9 in 東京ドーム  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2015-01-04.
30. ↑ Caldwell, James 2015-01-04. Caldwell's NJPW Tokyo Dome show results 1/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Wrestle Kingdom PPV - Tanahashi vs. Okada, Bullet Club, Nakamura, Jim Ross, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2015-01-04.
31. ↑ 棚橋vsAJのIWGP戦が正式決定！ 後藤＆柴田vsアンダーソン＆ギャローズ、オメガvs田口の再戦も決定！【2・11大阪対戦カード】  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling* (2015-01-06). Retrieved on 2015-01-09.
32. ↑ The New Beginning in Osaka  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2015-02-11.
33. ↑ Caldwell, James 2015-02-11. NJPW news: Bullet Club takes top titles at "New Beginning" - Styles new IWGP World Champ, other title changes . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2015-02-11.
34. ↑ Invasion Attack 2015  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2015-04-05.
35. ↑ Show results - 4/5 NJPW "Invasion Attack" in Tokyo, Japan: A.J. Styles defends IWGP World Title in main event, ROH tag teams win both Tag Titles, Bullet Club in action, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch* (2015-04-05). Retrieved on 2015-04-05.
36. ↑ Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2015-07-05.
37. ↑ Caldwell, James 2015-07-05. NJPW PPV news: Three title changes at Dominion PPV, big-time main event, ROH, headline matches for G1 Climax, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2015-07-05.
38. ↑ Sempervive, Mike 2015-07-18. The Big Audio Nightmare's Guide to the annual New Japan G1 Climax . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2015-08-14.
39. ↑ バディファイトPresents G1 Climax 25  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2015-08-14.
40. ↑ Meltzer, Dave 2015-10-11. NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 10-11: Kazuchika Okada vs. A.J. Styles for IWGP heavyweight title . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2015-11-09.
41. ↑ Meltzer, Dave 2015-11-06. NJPW Power Struggle live results 2015: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Karl Anderson for IC title . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2015-12-09.
42. ↑ Meltzer, Dave 2015-12-05. AJ Styles officially removed from NJPW Tour . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2015-12-09.
43. ↑ Meltzer, Dave 2016-01-03. Wrestle Kingdom 10 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs Hiroshi Tanahashi . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2016-01-04.
44. ↑ Rose, Bryan 2016-01-04. NJPW stars Nakamura, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson headed to WWE . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2016-01-04.
45. ↑ Caldwell, James 2016-01-04. PWTorch Report – Four big names leaving New Japan, heading to WWE . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Archived from the original on 2016-01-05. Retrieved on 2016-01-04.
46. ↑ Johnson, Mike 2016-01-05. AJ Styles & Nakamura-New Japan updates . *Pro Wrestling Insider*. Retrieved on 2016-01-05.
47. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `moore`
48. ↑ Fowler, Matt 2012-11-02. TOP 50 WRESTLERS OF ALL TIME . Retrieved on 2016-02-29.
49. ↑ Nouinou, Ayub 2016-01-22. AJ Styles can be the superstar that spearheads WWE into a new era . Retrieved on 2016-02-29.
50. ↑ Atkin, Nicolas 2016-02-27. Ex-WWE star Kurt Angle: Family more important than wrestling now . Retrieved on 2016-02-28.
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Baines, Tim 2005-02-13. Styles still showing he's X-cellent champ . Ottawa Sun. Retrieved on 2008-08-19.
52. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `SLAM`
53. ↑ Nation, Ryan. Styles admits to Elevation X worries . *Slam Wrestling Sports!*. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
54. ↑ Borash, Jeremy 2009-09-17. Jeremy Borash (JeremyBorash) on Twitter . Twitter. Retrieved on 2009-09-18.
55. ↑ Styles, A.J. 2015-10-08. AJStyles.Org on Twitter: 1 year ago I was blessed with something I thought I'd never have, a daughter, my Princess Anney. . Twitter. Retrieved on 2015-11-16.
56. ↑ Borash, Jeremy 2010-08-01. First pic! AJ Styles got ink! Initials of his 3 sons and their birthdays . Twitter. Retrieved on 2010-08-02.
57. ↑ Clevett, Jason 2005-04-20. AJ Styles ready for new challenges . *Slam Wrestling*. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved on 2008-08-19.
58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Cardno, James. AJ Styles Interview . New Zealand Pro Wrestling Journalists. Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
59. ↑ Clevett, Jason 2003-05-30. AJ Styles: Southern Gentleman and a star . *Slam Wrestling*. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved on 2008-08-19.
60. ↑ Sarachik, Jason 2016-02-22. WWE Superstar AJ Styles Says He Can ‘School’ Anyone on Christian Hip-Hop . *Rapzilla*. Retrieved on 2016-02-27.
61. ↑ Shore, Chris 2013-04-25. 4/25 Shore's TNA Impact Wrestling live coverage: Mickie James vs. Velvet Shy for the Knockouts Championship, AJ Styles still needs to pick a side, and Bully Ray is face-to-face with Hulk Hogan . ProWrestling.Net. Retrieved on 2013-04-26.
62. ↑ Boutwell, Josh 2013-04-25. TNA Impact Wrestling Results - 4/25/13 (Bully Ray, Hogan) . Wrestleview. Retrieved on 2013-05-04.
63. ↑ 411's TNA IMPACT Wrestling Report 6.13.13 posted by Larry Csonka on 06.13.2013 .
64. ↑ KELLER'S TNA NO SURRENDER PPV REPORT 9/14: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live event from Canada .
65. ↑ Boutwell, Josh 2009-06-12. Impact Results – 6/11/09 . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2009-12-19.
66. ↑ A.J. Styles Says Vince Russo Got a Bad Rap posted by Jeremy Thomas on 03.22.2012 . “"Ever so slightly there are some guys throwing in some submissions. I threw in a flying armbar ever once in a blue moon. I wish I could do that more but it doesn't seem to be the case in some of my matches."”
67. ↑ Droste, Ryan 2006-06-23. iMPACT! Results – 6/22/06 (Tag Team Titles and X Title all on the line..) . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2009-12-19.
68. ↑ 1PW– A Cruel Twist of Fate DVD Review . Wrestling Observer Newsletter (2008-10-05). Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 69.2 69.3 69.4 69.5 Tape Review: ROH, "Dissension," Jan. 28, 2006, with Styles vs. Danielson, Sydal vs. Daniels .
70. ↑ A.J Styles bio . TNA Wrestling. Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
71. ↑ Thunder report on March 21, 2001 .
72. ↑ CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT RESULTS 9/12: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of "No Surrender" Impact - Bully defends TNA Title, BFG Series Finals, more .
73. ↑ 73.00 73.01 73.02 73.03 73.04 73.05 73.06 73.07 73.08 73.09 73.10 73.11 100 Percent Fordified: Ring of Honor AJ Styles - Styles Clash .
74. ↑ 74.00 74.01 74.02 74.03 74.04 74.05 74.06 74.07 74.08 74.09 74.10 74.11 74.12 A.J. Styles profile . Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
75. ↑ Ziegler, Jacob 2006-04-27. ROH – Hell Freezes Over DVD Review . 411Mania. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.
76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 76.2 6/9 TNA PPV review: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live event .
77. ↑ 77.0 77.1 77.2 77.3 77.4 77.5 77.6 77.7 DVD Review: IWC, "Best of AJ Styles, 2003-04," with Sabin, Daniels, Homicide, Punk .
78. ↑ Boutwell, Josh 2010-01-01. Impact Results – 12/31/09 . *WrestleView*. Retrieved on 2010-01-01.
79. ↑ Madavi, Paul 2005-12-14. 12/11 TNA PPV Turning Point: Madavi Breaks Down Turning Point . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2012-07-13.
80. ↑ Hawke, TJ 2014-10-13. The 411 NJPW King of Pro Wrestling Review 10.13.14 . 411MANIA. Retrieved on 2014-11-13.
81. ↑ Reid, Rob 2014-09-30. Ring of Honor "Death Before Dishonor XII" Night 1 Review . Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2014-11-13.
82. ↑ Namako, Jason 2014-11-03. ROH ON SINCLAIR RESULTS - 11/1/14 (STYLES/SYDAL) . Wrestleview. Retrieved on 2014-11-13.
83. ↑ ROH＆新日本プロレス「Global Wars」  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2014-05-11.
84. ↑ 84.0 84.1 Thunder report on February 21, 2001 .
85. ↑ Martin, Adam 2009-06-28. "TNA Epics" recap for June 27, 2009 . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2009-12-19.
86. ↑ WorldWide report on October 21, 2000 .
87. ↑ 8/4 TNA PPV review: Raven vs. Sabu, Styles vs. Kid Kash, Russo-Dusty feud .
88. ↑ Ziegler, Jake 2014-03-01. Ring of Honor Wrestling #128: Road Rage (AJ Styles, Jay Lethal) . Inside Pulse Wrestling. Retrieved on 2014-03-05.
89. ↑ Pollock, John 2014-05-25. NJPW Back to the Yokohama Arena Report . Fight Network. Retrieved on 2014-05-25.
90. ↑ Ziegler, Jacob 2007-04-25. TNA – Best of the Tag Teams Volume 1 DVD Review . 411Mania.com. Retrieved on 2009-05-03.
91. ↑ Greg Parks (February 11, 2016). "2/11 WWE Smackdown – Parks’s Complete, Real-Time Report". *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
92. ↑ Alex Kahrs (February 25, 2016). "WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS - 2/25/16 (SIX MAN TAG MATCH)". *Wrestleview.com*. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
93. ↑ James Caldwell (March 7, 2016). "3/7 WWE Raw Results – CALDWELL’S Complete Live Report". *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
94. ↑ 100 Percent Fordified: Ring of Honor AJ Styles - Styles Clash .
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96. ↑ Martin, Adam 2009-09-20. TNA No Surrender Results – 9/20/09 . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2009-12-19.
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98. ↑ Cardno, James. AJ Styles Interview . New Zealand Pro Wrestling Journalists. Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
99. ↑ Thunder report on February 14, 2001 .
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101. ↑ McNeill, Pat 2009-12-15. Torch DVD Review Flashback: McNeill's ROH "Glory By Honor IV" Review - Bryan Danielson vs. Jamie Noble, A.J. Styles, Mick Foley, Samoa Joe . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-02-16.
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103. ↑ 待望の第3弾! 12月10日（水）発売「NJPWグレイテストミュージックIII」の収録内容が遂に決定!!  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling* (2014-11-11). Retrieved on 2014-11-11.
104. ↑ Kitamura, Yonosuke. Prowrestle theme music list  (in Japanese). *RMLabel*. Retrieved on 2015-07-07.