Dog Based Gremlin
Veteran
Option #1
AJ Styles enters the Royal Rumble
One of the most popular suggestions being bandied about and one option WWE would have would be to enter AJ Styles into the upcoming Royal Rumble match.
This immediately throws up two possibilities. The first of these would be to announce AJ ahead of time, in order to build up towards his debut. This allows WWE the opportunity to give the WWE Universe a glimpse of what he is capable of, and also time to prepare long-time fans for his imminent arrival.
The other option is for AJ to be a surprise entrant, showing up without forewarning. This is by far the most romantic option, as many fans of the man (myself included) love the idea of the countdown clock, the buzzer going off and the reveal of AJ to a monster pop.
The reality of this is that AJ Styles just might not have the name reach within the WWE Universe that we assume he does. As such, there is every chance that his surprise reveal in the Royal Rumble match would be a damp squib opening, putting this most talented of superstars on the back foot immediately.
Introducing AJ in the Royal Rumble match is the bravest and potentially most exciting option. It is also the riskiest.
Option #2
NXT Debut Vignettes
Well, if ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The classic introductory technique, introducing AJ Styles through a number of vignettes on NXT leading up to a debut is by far the safest option. Sure, it might not be the most exciting of options either, but there we go.
This is particularly appealing when looking at the other independent stars to have arrived in NXT. When Kevin Owens was coming to town, vignettes aired and anticipation was built. When Apollo Crews was about to make his debut, it was announced and built up beforehand and we could all look forward to his arrival.
AJ Styles is an incredible talent, a true world class performer. Sometimes the safest option is the best option, and airing introductory vignettes to the man over a number of weeks might not be such a bad way to go.
Option #3
NXT TakeOver: Dallas (Night before Wrestlemania 32)
The next edition of the incredible NXT TakeOver series has been announced, and boy is it a big one. NXT TakeOver: Dallas will take place on April 1st 2016, the day before WrestleMania XXXII emanates from the same city. The crowd will be hot, and it is unthinkable that the event will pass without some major events unfolding.
The most major of these events could be the debut of AJ Styles. As mentioned previously, Styles’ long time rival Samoa Joe made his debut last year at the end of an NXT TakeOver special, and introducing Styles in a similar way would be a wise move, especially in front of the smart crowd that WrestleMania (and NXT) tends to attract.
The main event of NXT TakeOver: Dallas is all speculation at this point, but AJ Styles coming out to a huge pop to symbolically challenge whoever stands tall at the end would be a statement and a half and a great way to introduce him.
Option #4
Option #5
Post Wrestlemania RAW show
When push finally makes its way to the world known as ‘shove’, no option for introducing AJ Styles to the crazy world of World Wrestling Entertainment makes more sense than this. WrestleMania attracts fans from all over the world, wrestling obsessives who know what they are watching and why.
A huge number of these fans stay on for Raw the day after the event, too, and this has fast become one of the biggest days on the WWE calendar. Surprise returns, huge debuts and, most importantly, a hot crowd have led to it being one of the only must-see nights of Raw for the whole year.
If AJ Styles is going straight to the main roster, this has to be the night he arrives, with a crowd that will bellow in support of him, rather than let out a collective ‘oh yeah, I’ve heard of this guy’. AJ Styles should be treated like a star and, by introducing him on this day, you are guaranteeing him a reaction befitting of one.
It doesn’t matter what he does or who he interrupts to do so. The Social Outcasts, complaining of being left off the ‘Mania card, an overconfident secondary champion, proclaiming an open challenge, saving a valiant babyface from a heel beatdown, all of the options work…
Truth be told, AJ Styles could arrive on the scene in WWE through any of these vehicles and the man will be a success. Since arriving in New Japan, Styles has proven himself to be without a shadow of a doubt one of the top professional wrestlers in the world. More so than anyone in modern North American wrestling, he deserves a shot on the biggest stage of them all. Let’s hope WWE get him off to a good start with a hot debut.
AJ Styles enters the Royal Rumble
One of the most popular suggestions being bandied about and one option WWE would have would be to enter AJ Styles into the upcoming Royal Rumble match.
This immediately throws up two possibilities. The first of these would be to announce AJ ahead of time, in order to build up towards his debut. This allows WWE the opportunity to give the WWE Universe a glimpse of what he is capable of, and also time to prepare long-time fans for his imminent arrival.
The other option is for AJ to be a surprise entrant, showing up without forewarning. This is by far the most romantic option, as many fans of the man (myself included) love the idea of the countdown clock, the buzzer going off and the reveal of AJ to a monster pop.
The reality of this is that AJ Styles just might not have the name reach within the WWE Universe that we assume he does. As such, there is every chance that his surprise reveal in the Royal Rumble match would be a damp squib opening, putting this most talented of superstars on the back foot immediately.
Introducing AJ in the Royal Rumble match is the bravest and potentially most exciting option. It is also the riskiest.
Option #2
NXT Debut Vignettes
Well, if ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The classic introductory technique, introducing AJ Styles through a number of vignettes on NXT leading up to a debut is by far the safest option. Sure, it might not be the most exciting of options either, but there we go.
This is particularly appealing when looking at the other independent stars to have arrived in NXT. When Kevin Owens was coming to town, vignettes aired and anticipation was built. When Apollo Crews was about to make his debut, it was announced and built up beforehand and we could all look forward to his arrival.
AJ Styles is an incredible talent, a true world class performer. Sometimes the safest option is the best option, and airing introductory vignettes to the man over a number of weeks might not be such a bad way to go.
Option #3
NXT TakeOver: Dallas (Night before Wrestlemania 32)
The next edition of the incredible NXT TakeOver series has been announced, and boy is it a big one. NXT TakeOver: Dallas will take place on April 1st 2016, the day before WrestleMania XXXII emanates from the same city. The crowd will be hot, and it is unthinkable that the event will pass without some major events unfolding.
The most major of these events could be the debut of AJ Styles. As mentioned previously, Styles’ long time rival Samoa Joe made his debut last year at the end of an NXT TakeOver special, and introducing Styles in a similar way would be a wise move, especially in front of the smart crowd that WrestleMania (and NXT) tends to attract.
The main event of NXT TakeOver: Dallas is all speculation at this point, but AJ Styles coming out to a huge pop to symbolically challenge whoever stands tall at the end would be a statement and a half and a great way to introduce him.
Option #4
The Balor/Bullet Club
This seems to be the most popular option for introducing AJ Styles, as well as a great vehicle for turning AJ Styles heel in the process. For a number of months now Balor has been hinting at the arrival of a posse (so to speak), a posse by the name of the Balor Club.
This is a very clear take on Bullet Club, the faction that has run roughshod over New Japan Pro Wrestling for the last few years that has been led by both Finn Balor and AJ Styles. Interestingly enough, two of the other big names rumoured to be heading WWE-way with Styles are Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, two other important Bullet Club members. Hmmm….
In many ways, this one just writes itself. Balor defends his title against a popular babyface (Sami Zayn or Hideo Itami, for example) at NXT TakeOver: Dallas. Just when it seems like the good guy is going to take home the gold, out of nowhere come three hooded assailants, interfering and allowing Balor to pick up the victory.
Naturally, Finn acts shocked at the help initially, but the three slowly reveal themselves to be Styles, Anderson and Gallows. Ladies and gentlemen, the Balor Club are here.
This seems to be the most popular option for introducing AJ Styles, as well as a great vehicle for turning AJ Styles heel in the process. For a number of months now Balor has been hinting at the arrival of a posse (so to speak), a posse by the name of the Balor Club.
This is a very clear take on Bullet Club, the faction that has run roughshod over New Japan Pro Wrestling for the last few years that has been led by both Finn Balor and AJ Styles. Interestingly enough, two of the other big names rumoured to be heading WWE-way with Styles are Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, two other important Bullet Club members. Hmmm….
In many ways, this one just writes itself. Balor defends his title against a popular babyface (Sami Zayn or Hideo Itami, for example) at NXT TakeOver: Dallas. Just when it seems like the good guy is going to take home the gold, out of nowhere come three hooded assailants, interfering and allowing Balor to pick up the victory.
Naturally, Finn acts shocked at the help initially, but the three slowly reveal themselves to be Styles, Anderson and Gallows. Ladies and gentlemen, the Balor Club are here.
Option #5
Post Wrestlemania RAW show
When push finally makes its way to the world known as ‘shove’, no option for introducing AJ Styles to the crazy world of World Wrestling Entertainment makes more sense than this. WrestleMania attracts fans from all over the world, wrestling obsessives who know what they are watching and why.
A huge number of these fans stay on for Raw the day after the event, too, and this has fast become one of the biggest days on the WWE calendar. Surprise returns, huge debuts and, most importantly, a hot crowd have led to it being one of the only must-see nights of Raw for the whole year.
If AJ Styles is going straight to the main roster, this has to be the night he arrives, with a crowd that will bellow in support of him, rather than let out a collective ‘oh yeah, I’ve heard of this guy’. AJ Styles should be treated like a star and, by introducing him on this day, you are guaranteeing him a reaction befitting of one.
It doesn’t matter what he does or who he interrupts to do so. The Social Outcasts, complaining of being left off the ‘Mania card, an overconfident secondary champion, proclaiming an open challenge, saving a valiant babyface from a heel beatdown, all of the options work…
Truth be told, AJ Styles could arrive on the scene in WWE through any of these vehicles and the man will be a success. Since arriving in New Japan, Styles has proven himself to be without a shadow of a doubt one of the top professional wrestlers in the world. More so than anyone in modern North American wrestling, he deserves a shot on the biggest stage of them all. Let’s hope WWE get him off to a good start with a hot debut.
