Does AJ Styles need to debut at Rumble at this point?

[Jack-Hammer]

If reports are accurate, Styles will be heading to the main roster, Gallows and Anderson are headed to NXT and Nakamura doesn't undergo the medical tests and screenings until next month.

Does Styles "need" to debut at the Royal Rumble? Not necessarily, though it's a possibility he does. If WWE is set on Reigns, one way or another, being in the WWE Championship match for WrestleMania, I'd do something different with Styles. For instance, if they've decided on what Styles will be doing for WrestleMania and who it'll be against, I'd do this: Styles music hits and he comes out not wearing ring gear or anything and have him climb into the ring. He stands there for a few seconds before suddenly going after whomever it is he's going to be wrestling for WrestleMania and eliminates that person. Maybe he attacks and eliminates a couple of more guys, due to defending himself, along the way. He then calmly steps through the ropes, not over the top as this is an important little detail, and begins beating the guy up on the floor, stomping, kicking, ramming him into the steps, the steel post, etc. doesn't say a word to anyone, then calmly strolls back up the ramp. In this little scenario, my idea is that he's not an "official" participant in the Rumble match, maybe he's ambushed Curtis Axel and taken him out much as what happened last year. I wouldn't have Styles go near Reigns, maybe have it scripted that Reigns is busy with other guys in the corner and Styles couldn't get to him if he wanted; after all, if Styles isn't going to win the title, don't worry about a confrontation with Reigns right now and have him leave under his own steam, his own terms having made an impactful statement. Again, all this is based on whether or not Reigns will walk out with the title Sunday as it gives Styles an impactful debut and doesn't spoil any of the momentum by having him be eliminated during the match as he wasn't "officially" part of it and wasn't "officially" eliminated as he didn't go over the top rope. For a Rumble debut, I'd wait until about 19 or 20 guys have entered the ring

Another way to go would be for Styles to show up for the post Royal Rumble Raw to make his intentions known. He could still attack whomever WWE has plans for him to face at WrestleMania, though it wouldn't be as impactful as a Royal Rumble debut that potentially cost his target the WWE World Championship.

[Azane]

AJ as a surprise entrant would make me feel like I got my money's worth at Rumble.
I would love something bizarre, like after #30, the Buzzer goes off for #31 and has him come out and say he's ready to take over.

[dsotm5150]

Personally, I'd debut him at the Rumble to create buzz for Raw the next night. What better way to debut someone than at the Rumble, have him come in and dominate for 3 or 4 rounds before getting eliminated. Debuts him strong and makes him look legitamate to the fans who may not be familiar with him, and then you go from there. Unfortunately this is WWE and AJ made his name elsewhere so I would imagine WWE pride will make sure he gets taken down a few pegs before getting to really get anywhere

[hatehabsforever]

Personally, I would love to see AJ Styles debut in WWE at the Royal Rumble PPV, but not in the Royal Rumble match itself. I would love to see one of the NXT guys make an appearance in the Royal Rumble match. Could be Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, even Sami Zayn. Have one of them enter somewhere in the middle of the pack and have a good showing, eliminating a bunch of guys that no one cares about. Then all of a sudden, AJ Styles appears, possibly even from out of the crowd. He interferes in the match and causes the NXT guy to be eliminated, and then he leaves. Sets up an instant feud with whoever that guy is and AJ Styles, in NXT.

That way, Styles debuts at one of the biggest PPV's of the year, without debuting in the Rumble match itself. The announcers can chat him up and put him over, maybe even some vignettes to help with the cause. His in ring debut is in NXT, where pretty much everyone else not named Sting debuts nowadays. We get to see some stellar matches from him in NXT, before his timely move up to the main roster.

There is no way in the world he is going to win the Royal Rumble in his first night, and become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, especially considering that plenty of casual fans will barely know who he is, if at all. That's delusional. But he can be made look strong and impactful, while still going through appropriate channels, until he eventually becomes a fixture on RAW.

[rbv13]

I was upset to see WWE announce Reigns as the number on entrant. It would've been amazing to see a Demon style entrance by Baylor at number one w/a Styles debut at number two. The Orlando crowd would've went nuts. From there I would've built the two towards a title bout at NXT TO: Dallas.

I hope they some how adjust idea.

[FightOwensFight]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I will disagree with the people (including WWE, if the report referenced is correct) that Styles wouldn't get a good reaction at the Rumble. There is literally not a better place to debut him due to him essentially making his name in Orlando with TNA. If he isn't going to get a good reaction there I would have to think it would be an issue anywhere.

[TDFG]

I would prefer to have Balor in the Rumble. Maybe do an interview with Balor during the PPV were Styles shows up and they say they'll be at RAW.

[George Steele's Barber]

It is a lose-lose situation to debut him at the Rumble. WWE gets no benefit because they haven't promoted him properly and AJ doesn't get much benefit unless he wins. I guess it might help Raw's rating for the show after but if you are going to have him have a first match (yes I know he worked shortly for WWE years ago) I suspect they will make people pay to see it.

My suspicion is that this is all rumor to get a few more people to buy.

My other suspicion has been that he is going to NXT to give Balor chance to move up.

But we will see. It is hard to know what Vince wants in a guy like Styles.

[BillAlfonsos_Whistle]

Originally Posted by J.J.

I'd send him straight to NXT until after WM season and I'm firm on that. Debuting him at the RR in an obvious losing effort(unless he's going to ruin someone else's chances) ruins his debut. Notice you said Balor was holding the door open to the Performance Center - which is exactly where he should be(no pun intended). I think he's a great signing and great worker but I can wait. But given the recent reports that WWE doesn't want Styles competing in his final ROH date I'm unsure what to make of it.

See I never understood this way of thinking.
Are we never ever getting a surprise WWE debut again?
Do we HAVE to follow the stale process of NXT first > WWE main roster for guys who have been in the business for decades??

Styles should come in as #3 or #4 in the Rumble and dazzle with his noted in ring ability, have a long sustained run where he is acknowledged by commentary a lot and eventually get tossed out or toss someone out that will start his first feud in WWE.

I mean who are the "surprise" entrants going to be this year if not some of these new signees?