AJ Styles was perhaps TNA’s flagship star for over a decade, and he immediately showcased his phenomenal talent during the second weekly pay-per-view run by NWA, becoming the first-ever X Division Champion. This achievement marked the beginning of an eleven-year journey filled with titles and unforgettable matches.
Born on June 2, 1977, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Styles was trained by Rick Michaels and debuted in professional wrestling in 1998 with National Championship Wrestling, a Georgia-based promotion.
In 2001, Styles reached the big leagues, appearing in episodes of WCW’s Nitro and Thunder, as well as in dark matches for the WWF. However, it was in 2002 that he truly began to make his mark in the industry, especially with standout performances in ROH and TNA.
Between 2002 and 2013, Styles dominated TNA, winning every major title: the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (three times), the NWA World Tag Team Championship (four times: twice with Christopher Daniels, once with Jerry Lynn, and once with Abyss), the TNA Legends/Global/Television Championship (two times), the TNA World Heavyweight Championship (two times), the TNA World Tag Team Championship (twice: once with Tomko and once with Kurt Angle), and the TNA X Division Championship (six times). He was also the first Triple Crown and Grand Slam champion in the promotion’s history.
Here’s a chronological list of AJ Styles’ top ten matches in TNA:
- NWA TNA Weekly PPV #2 (June 26, 2002): Four-Way Double Elimination Match to determine the first NWA–TNA X Division Champion: AJ Styles vs. Psychosis vs. Low Ki vs. Jerry Lynn.The NWA–TNA X Division Championship was introduced during the second weekly pay-per-view, with Styles, Low Ki, Lynn, and Psicosis competing in a Four-Way Double Elimination Match to crown the inaugural champion.
- NWA TNA Weekly PPV #8 (August 7, 2002): NWA–TNA X Division Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Low Ki vs. Jerry Lynn.After winning the X Division Championship, Styles and Jerry Lynn captured the NWA World Tag Team Championship by defeating Bruce and Lenny Lane. Tensions grew between Styles and Lynn, leading to this memorable triple-threat match for the X Division title.
- Final Resolution 2005: Ultimate X Match for the TNA X Division Championship: Petey Williams (c) vs. AJ Styles vs. Chris Sabin.After winning a six-man match to become the top contender, Styles faced Petey Williams and Chris Sabin in an Ultimate X Match, following a storyline where Sabin repeatedly countered Williams’ Canadian Destroyer finisher.
- Against All Odds 2005: 30-Minute Ironman Match for the TNA X Division Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Christopher Daniels.The rivalry between Styles and Daniels intensified when Styles was challenged to beat Daniels in under ten minutes. Although the match ended in a draw, it set up this 30-minute Ironman Match, showcasing the best of both competitors.
- Lockdown 2005: Six Sides of Steel Match to determine the top contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Hard Justice: AJ Styles vs. Abyss.After Abyss handed over his title shot contract to Dusty Rhodes’ assistant, a feud erupted between Styles and Abyss, culminating in this brutal Six Sides of Steel match for a chance to compete for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
- Sacrifice 2005: Finals of the 2005 TNA Super X Cup tournament to determine the top contender for the TNA X Division Championship: AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe.The Super X Cup tournament brought Styles and Samoa Joe head-to-head in the finals, leading to an intense battle to determine the top contender for the X Division title.
- Unbreakable 2005: TNA X Division Championship: Christopher Daniels (c) vs. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe.Following interference by Daniels during the Super X Cup finals, Styles was added to the X Division Championship match at Unbreakable. This legendary match is still celebrated as one of the best in TNA history.
- Turning Point 2005: TNA X Division Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe.After winning the X Division Championship in a five-star match at Unbreakable, Styles defended his title against Samoa Joe, who had been brutalizing his opponents, including Christopher Daniels, in their pursuit of the belt.
- Hard Justice 2008: Last Man Standing Match: AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle.Following a dramatic storyline involving Kurt Angle’s wife Karen, Styles faced off against Angle in a brutal Last Man Standing Match, culminating in one of the most intense rivalries of the year.
- Turning Point 2009: TNA World Heavyweight Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Daniels vs. Samoa Joe.
After retaining his title against Sting at Bound for Glory, Styles was embroiled in a mystery involving an unknown attacker. Suspecting either Samoa Joe or Christopher Daniels, Styles defended his TNA World Heavyweight Championship against both in a thrilling match at Turning Point.
