Should WWE sign AJ Styles with the losses of Punk, Del Rio, and others

[TheMainEvent]

WWE seems to be in a bit of a panic mode considering Punk just walked out, Del Rio is reported to be leaving after his contract, Lesner will take time off after Mania, Taker won't be around after Mania, and the overall roster is very thin with superstar talent. So with that should WWE capitalize on the top free agent in the industry and sign AJ Styles to help fill that void?

Personally I say yes! From a business perspective I dont understand why they wouldn't sign someone who already has an established fan base, puts on great matches, and is a veteran but can be seen as new to their viewers eyes. AJ could easily become a top babyface in the WWE if given the chance and could shine in matches with virtually everyone on the roster.

On the flip side I can see their perspective of "Why sign Styles when we have guys like Bourne, Gabriel, and Neville who can do the same stuff as Styles". So it wouldn't make sense to sign someone else when they arent even using those similiar talented guys on the roster.

So what do you think?

 

[The Dragon Saga]

They can't sign him until April 6. Nobody with TV can. He signed an open contract with Ring of Honor where he can't appear an anybody's television show other than theirs until his dates until at least then are obligated. Then if WWE want him they can sign him, as long as he doesn't agree to more dates and in-turn to an open contract extension.

Personally I'm more than happy having Styles back in ROH. Once hes done all the shows until April and WWE give him an offer and it's right for him, his family and all that, hope he goes for it. If not I hope he sticks with ROH, because after watching his return last Saturday, guy is so much more appreciated, not just by the company compared to TNA, but by the fans who love him for coming back.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Not to belittle Styles' talent, because I'm not, but when it comes to whatever star power some perceive the company to be lacking, I don't see how Styles is going to make up for that. Styles is extremely talented in the ring, there's no question about that, but seeing as how TNA's audience during Styles entire time with them stayed in the low to mid 1 million range, a fraction of what Raw draws and about half of what SmackDown! does, there's nothing to show that the guy can draw.

That's not to say that Styles couldn't be an asset to the WWE roster. WWE already has a roster full of talented guys right now, some have said maybe even too much. So, as far as problems go, it's a good one to have. But will your average fan know and/or particularly care about AJ Styles' history with TNA or ROH? Probably not.

Allegedly, if any of the reports over the past several years have any validity, WWE's been interested in Styles for quite a while. However, he's always been a TNA guy. There's nothing at all wrong with that; if he felt he was making a good living and was happy where he was, then more power to him. However, with WWE's developmental system vastly improved and the fact that AJ Styles is 36 years old, he isn't nearly as attractive a prospect as he was 5 or 6 years ago. If Styles suddenly popped up in WWE 3 months from now, his age and potential unfamiliarity amongst a lot of WWE fans would knock him out of the running as one of the talents WWE would count on to headline the company over the next 5 or 10 years. I think there's a strong possibility that Styles has missed the boat as far as WWE goes.

 

[Nikeo]

AJ Styles is 36 years old and, contrary to what TNA fans would like to believe, is not a mainstream wrestling star. Does he have a following? Yes. Is that following big enough to elicit a response from a WWE crowd? No.

There's so many factors as to why he isn't a priority for WWE. First off: age. Why invest time and money in establishing a character that won't be main-eventing for the next ten years? WWE's priority, quite wisely, is dealing out these pushes to people who will be around long enough for that investment to pay off.

Secondly, and TNA fans really need to understand this, the WWE audience (buy and large) are not aware of his existence. Thus, to get him over, would take a lot of time and effort. See above paragraph which explains why that's not a good idea.

I'm sure Styles could go to the WWE and have some great matches - I'm not disputing that. What I AM disputing is that Styles has what it takes to get over within the WWE realm. Getting over in WWE and getting over in TNA are two very different things. TNA's audience is comprised of a lot of IWC fans. While they are a portion (and a sizable one at that) of the WWE's audience, there are also other massive demographics that watch WWE. You need to tick an awful, awful lot more boxes to succeed within the WWE as opposed to TNA.

I like AJ Styles, don't get me wrong, but the man does not possess that intangible "it" factor that so few have. It's just not there.

In review: why shouldn't WWE sign AJ? He's too old, would take too much effort to push for only short term gain and there's no guarantee the audience will take to him.

 

[Charismatic Enigma]

I'd like to see AJ get a chance at the big leagues, even if its short lived.

But that said, I actually look forward to WWE's roster thinning out a bit, the last couple of times thats happened it's provided the opportunity for smaller guys who may never have otherwise had the chance to reach the next level. Without a thin roster guys like Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, and Steve Austin might not be household names today.

I think the same will hold true for guys like Bryan, the Shield, Cesaro, etc. If some of WWE's top names do in fact leave.

 

[L@RISANO]

Besides Punk leaving, what star power is WWE really losing?
Indeed losing CM Punk is big, but it isn't a case of WWE will sink big-time into loads of problems.

If anything, CM Punk leaving might mean WWE looks to give Daniel Bryan a deserved pay-off sooner than they might have planned due to the backlash from Punk leaving.

Also Batista might not have gotten the desired reaction, but he is still bigger than AJ Styles ever will be.

Del Rio, whilst great in the ring, has been pretty bland as a character. I don't see him being missed too much, nor do I see him as a huge star.

Lesnar has just signed a contract till WM31 according to reports. Expect his appearances to be the same as they have been since he returned.

Taker only wrestles once a year, which has become normal. If he comes back post-Mania, then that is a bonus, but shouldn't be expected.

So, quite frankly, I don't see the benefit of AJ Styles,tbh. If he does come, I doubt he would be replacing a CM Punk,Lesnar or Taker in terms of Superstar status, and he would have to be built up to be in the Main Event.

Better if the WWE use what they already have in the roster and at the moment, the Main Event consists of; John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista, Daniel Bryan, Sheamus and the likes of Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns are also getting pushes as well in any case so I don't really see WWE going into "Panic" mode in any way.

 

[Pedigree1]

If were talking about AJ at age 30 or 31 coming to the WWE then I am all for it! AJ is a incredible talent no doubt about that. But AJ fact is he is 36 years of age,and while losing punk is a blow,AJ will not fill that void im afraid. Seriously go ask any casual wrestling fan,who AJ is and most will have never heard of his name let alone know who he is.

AJ has spent the majority of his career in TNA and if it brought him happiness then thats okay. Good for him. The WWE has a lot of star power right now,if AJ comes in he will get lost in the shuffle and at his age,he most likely wont get the reaction he richly deserve. Im in the agreement that his time in the WWE might have passed him by

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

I think that AJ Styles, while extremely talented in the ring, will have a steep learning curve for WWE style wrestling. It will take somewhere on the order of 2 to 3 years at a minimum to get to a place that is comparable to Daniel Bryan or CM Punk. I don't see that being worthwhile for anyone except for Styles who may be looking for a larger payday. But at his age, he's probably going to be hitting 40 by the time he gets to full steam.

In the meantime, you should see a lot of progress from Bryan, Reigns, Ambrose, Wyatt, and Rhodes. Enough to make a move for someone like Styles seem almost wasteful. I just don't see Styles' err, style, meshing well with the WWE and would require a lot of changes. Not that it couldn't happen, because again, I think the man is more than talented enough to make it work. I just don't think time or circumstances are on his side.

 

[TheMainEvent]

The argument that Styles is unknown to the WWE audience and thus would take longer to get over and not worth the trouble is a pretty lackluster argument honestly. Styles is likely better know to the WWE audience today than Cesaro, Ambrose, Rollins, Punk, Bryan, and really any one else they called up prior to the whole NXT restructure were when they all debuted. To say that he wouldn't be able to get over in the WWE because the audience is different is ridiculous considering all of the above names are over, and essentially some of the top stars on the roster. It all comes down to how he would be booked and if given a chance to connect with the audience. Which i believe his in ring skills and charisma as a performer (not through promos but through his actions in the ring) he would be over.

His age is definitely an issue when considering it, especially with the crop of young talent in NXT and on the current roster. I'm not saying that he will become a big star like say a Batista, Triple H, Orton, Punk, etc but I think WWE could benefit from signing him when he becomes available.

 

[GameOver]

so to replace someone that was bitching about old guys being brought in for quick ratings instead of using current talent, you would have them bring in an older nobody from another organisation? atleast a nobody in the WWE universe realm.

Yeah that would calm the tide of hate.

Plus AJ can't talk for shit so he'd be just another talented performer who can't main event for themselves.

 

[thebarber]

bahahahahan Styles in WWE, the same company that cant even make its own over talent happy. Punk gone, Styles isnt a shadow on Punk. Nobody outside of the internet world really know who he is. No way in hell Vince or HHH treat him seriously. Bryna has the sawn off superstar under dog gimmick, they dont need another one.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

They can't sign him until April 6. Nobody with TV can. He signed an open contract with Ring of Honor where he can't appear an anybody's television show other than theirs until his dates until at least then are obligated. Then if WWE want him they can sign him, as long as he doesn't agree to more dates and in-turn to an open contract extension.

Just want to clarify what this dumbass said - an "Open Contract" says that AJ Styles can not sign for one night only appearences with any other company that has television deals. However that means that he can sign "Written Contracts" with those and be pulled out of any ROH event he has "signed" for, if the company who he signed for wants it. However WWE usually let's them finish their signed appearences. This is just a verbal agreement. Example: Sami Callihan being pulled of DGUSA events after signing the contract.

Now onto the subject in hand - AJ Styles in WWE isn't going to happen. Not that AJ Styles isn't talented enough or doesn't have the fanbase to be a relevant asset to the WWE, but mostly because WWE management don't want guys created elsewhere and specially TNA. WWE is more than capable of filling CM Punk and Del Rio voids if they do decide to leave the company when their contract expires. You have talented workers like Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Big E. Langston, Roman Reigns who are capably fine to give us what CM Punk and Del Rio usually do.

Also you have in development guys with ridiculous amount of talent, such as Adrian Neville, Samy Zain, Sami Callihan, Bo Dallas, etc. AJ Styles isn't really going to add anything new and with his age, building him up would be counter productive.

AJ Styles is happy in ROH and will most likely return to TNA by the end of the year when the company gets on the right tracks. He has no business in WWE, even though that for wrestling fans he could give us some good matches against the likes of Christian, Cesaro, Rollins, Bryan etc...

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Just want to clarify what this dumbass said - an "Open Contract" says that AJ Styles can not sign for one night only appearences with any other company that has television deals. However that means that he can sign "Written Contracts" with those and be pulled out of any ROH event he has "signed" for, if the company who he signed for wants it. However WWE usually let's them finish their signed appearences. This is just a verbal agreement. Example: Sami Callihan being pulled of DGUSA events after signing the contract.

The irony of this is labeling me a dumbass in the opening line and then making a false statement as your example AND trying to correct me, with an incorrect assumption - cause as we know you've little to no clue what you're talking about - about details I actually have a clue about, because I have heard them detailed by Bryan Alvarez, Dave Meltzer, Wade Keller, read them detailed by Dave Meltzer, but you still try to show you have a clue?

And Sami wasn't under a WNN contract. Not an open one or a written one. His initial contract which was open expired on February 1, 2013. This isn't EWR where an open contract means you can sign with anyone. He can't. Nobody with one can. Now stop showcasing how much of an idiot you are, correcting you isn't fun.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

The irony of this is labeling me a dumbass in the opening line and then making a false statement as your example AND trying to correct me, with an incorrect assumption - cause as we know you've little to no clue what you're talking about - about details I actually have a clue about, because I have heard them detailed by Bryan Alvarez, Dave Meltzer, Wade Keller, read them detailed by Dave Meltzer, but you still try to show you have a clue?

And Sami wasn't under a WNN contract. Not an open one or a written one. His initial contract which was open expired on February 1, 2013. This isn't EWR where an open contract means you can sign with anyone. He can't. Nobody with one can. Now stop showcasing how much of an idiot you are, correcting you isn't fun.

It's not a false statement! An Open Contract is a Verbal Contract, a wrestler signs some dates for some company, it's not a "yearly" thing and he only gets paid for those dates in the day he appears. Something like what MVP apparently has with TNA. I've seen way too many shoot interviews to know what an open contract is, and it's a day by day appearence contract. "You appear 5 days for us, you get that x amount per day"

I'm a PWTorch (recently) and WON member too, I've heard the interviews and there is absolutely NOTHING there that says he can't sign for WWE and appear there TOMORROW. They mention TNA because it was TNA's best interest to have AJ Styles as an on-going figure, even if it was a day by day as he had after BfG13.

You are a moron and evidently you think you have a clue, when in reality you're one of the most stupid guys here, making false assumptions about everything because "oh I heard Meltzer say", when I heard it too and A LOT of people in the IWC did too and he said anything to back you up.

Like I said, AJ Styles can very well sign with whomever he wants at this point in time. But just to make it clear, here it is what an open contract is:

"Whose terms do not constitute the entire agreement between the contracting parties and whose clauses or provisions can be changed or modified without mutual consent."

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I fear that at 36 years old, WWE aren't going to see AJ Styles as a long-term investment, especially with his in-ring risk-taking style. I also don't see him as a big enough name for the company to bring him in on a short-term deal, as although he's a big star to hardcore wrestling fans, the casual viewer who only watches WWE will not recognise him.

However, I still think that WWE should sign him. Styles is a fantastic talent, and the fans would immediately take to his in-ring style, and he WOULD get a reaction from alot of the fans if they saw him debut in the WWE. I'd love to see him take on the likes of CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Antonio Cesaro and plenty of others, those matches would be showstealers.

I don't see WWE ever pushing Styles to World Title level if they signed him, I'd see him in the kind of role RVD had in the company, upper-mid card and occasionally flirting with the main eventers for short periods of time. He's too talented to waste in a jobber role, and wouldn't sign up for that anyway.

He'd likely be renamed though, which would be a shame as a lot of wrestling fans know the name AJ Styles, but having a big AJ tattooed on his side when there is already an AJ on the roster could be an issue. Maybe he could just wear attire that covers his torso...

 

[Wald]

I think WWE should sign him to have midcard feuds with guys like Ziggler, Ambrose, Langston and the rest, even through the IWC a dream match with Bryan on Raw, but at 36 he isn't going to be brought in to take Punk's spot, hell he won't even be brought in to take ADR's spot.

If you're looking for who can replace Punk, ADR, Lesnar and Undertaker on the roster after Wrestlemania than keep pushing guys that are getting over already, like The Shield, Wyatt or Big E, or take a punt with someone from NXT like Rusev, Dallas or Neville. Far more upside to putting the WWE machine behind them than behind Styles.

 

[shafe_41]

No. Not a chance. Especially since Del Rio isn't actually gone yet and Punk will be back at some point. It's inevitable.

Apparently WWE already offered Styles a contract and it was a pretty lowball offer. He's 36. He wouldn't be in WWE for long and how many people that watch WWE even know who AJ Styles is? You might have some people that would pop for him to be there. But I'd bet you half the crowd would be crickets.

The other problem is he'll have to get a WWE name. Doubtful he'd get to keep "AJ Styles" since we all know how Vince likes to own the rights to all his characters. Which would also be tough considering AJ has "STYLES" tatted on his body. I wouldn't hold my breath on it.

 

[AegonTargaryen]

AJ styles in WWE. Meh. Would've worked during the brand extension era. He'd have been great in smackdown pre-2005. Imagine Styles facing Angle, Edge, Guerrero, Mysterio, Chavo, Benoit, etc. On raw against Booker T, Christian, Rob Van Dam. He'd at best have been an intercontinental champion. May be a tag team specialist. But today's WWE? with talented wrestlers like Cesaro, Ambrose, Rollins, Wyatts, Wade Barret, Rhodes, Sandow, Christian(too old?) there simply isn't any room for Styles . Not even in the mid-card.