low-key, they basically followed TNA's lead and did for aj styles, what TNA just did for michael bennett. they followed that blueprint to the T.
the pop he got at rumble alone is way more than enough buildup to get the attention of oblivious fans. lol. oblivious casual fans are bad but theyre not THAT slow.
and aj styles is not some wrestler that worked indie midcard or some chit. hes a LEGEND. same for samoa joe, whos looking stupid in NXT, especially after how he likes to diss TNA whenever they fall out.
not saying these guys' names are as big as a ric flair, sid vicious or lex luger but these are the modern day versions of those guys jumping to wwf.