The AJ Styles Project
AJ Styles failed in his effort to become WWE world heavyweight champion. Again. 24 hours removed from his Extreme Rules loss to Roman Reigns, The Phenomenal One did the job to Kevin Owens on Monday Night Raw. Fans sat dumbfounded, as the overall response was one of surprise. Again.
This is not what fans expected when AJ first came to WWE. He spent an entire career outside of Vince McMahon's company, and many probably thought he would never work in a WWE ring.
So when the moment came, it was full of expectations. AJ deserved this, and as long as he was given the right opportunities, he would definitely shine.
But what was he going to do? What did fans really believe was going to happen with perhaps the best all-around performer in the world once he came into WWE? Was he going to rule the mid-card? Or was he destined for greatness as the world champion?
Either way, fans expected a lot and AJ most certainly delivered.
Styles overproduced in every match he worked. His energetic output was that of a 20 year old, yet combined with the real world experience of a 40 year old. AJ looked better than he arguably had in years, and it was obvious that he was stepping up his game in pro wrestling's biggest company.
But the rumblings began on the night of WrestleMania 32, when he lost to Chris Jericho. Jericho is a veteran of course and one of WWE's perennial legends; to do the honors for him is surely not an issue for any guy that he steps into the ring with.
However, this seemed to be AJ's match to win. The rivalry appeared to be going in that direction, and all of the pieces were in place for Styles to come out victorious in the end. After all, Chris would likely once again be gone soon, so why not let Styles have the rub at Mania?
That did not happen of course, and it could have become a major issue for fans that were legitimately concerned about his creative path from there. Of course when he was named the new number one contender on the following Monday Night Raw, much of that concern immediately vanished.
Win or lose, AJ would have a great showing. Fans knew this going in. Roman was probably not going down in the end. Fans knew that too. But all that mattered was the performance itself, and AJ is one of the best performers in the world today.
Payback was top notch. AJ versus Roman was very well received and AJ did so well that fans were forced to give Roman props for his part of the match. WWE could not have been happier with the bout, or with the new star that gave them everything he had.
But Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson were booked heavily in this rivalry, and suddenly the point became lost. Wasn't this about AJ becoming a top guy in WWE? What happened to expectations being realized?
AJ's loss at Extreme Rules threw a wrench into the machine. Yes, fans believed Roman would escape with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. No, fans did not believe Roman would get the clean pin over AJ. What was the point of it all?
That very question is likely being asked right now, especially considering AJ's loss to Kevin Owens on Raw. How could Money in the Bank not feature the guy that was so close to winning the championship just four weeks before? How could Money in the Bank not feature AJ Styles?
Was AJ just a project for WWE? Was he brought in just to bolster Roman, to turn the heads of indie wrestling fans, and maybe even pop the ratings? Was he brought in because the double loss of Seth Rollins and Daniel Bryan seriously depleted WWE's short list of highly skilled, fan favorite technicians?
Has this whole thing just been about beefing up the main event card, and now that recently injured Superstars are coming back, AJ needs to drop a level? What is the answer here?
The fact is that wins and losses tend to mean more to fans than to the guys actually in the ring. But that does not mean wins and losses mean nothing to those guys at all. AJ Styles deserves the monster push of a lifetime, and that's what he got. But what does he deserve now?
Where does AJ Styles go from here?
