The 2016 Royal Rumble marked the first appearance of TNA legend AJ Stylesbeginning a ten-year run that would end with the multiple world champion being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. At the time, fans were shocked to see him make the leap after years in TNA, but according to Styles, the moment wasn’t one he had weeks to prepare for.
“I mean, it was a week before the Rumble that I found out. I think it could have been days, I don’t know,” he recalled in an episode of his show.AJ Styles Show:He then explained that he had just competed in NJPW Wrestle Kingdom and the next event at Korakuen Hall before heading home to Atlanta, having dinner the same night before flying to Pittsburgh to undergo a medical before joining WWE. he was going to fail a medical test, while explaining that it was required whether or not he would start first in NXT.
Before flying to Orlando, Styles met Samoa Joe and got his gear. realizing that his debut was a big secret. He then explained that he had to go into hiding and was held aside in Orlando where he had to sign papers and spend the night revealing his debut in some dressing room.
“I saw people I knew and I thank God,” he recalled. “And that’s how it all started… I mean, the thing I remember the most is like when I’m watching (my debut) come back, I wish I was smiling or like I was being pushed, but I was just walking there with a stone face like I was going to cry.”
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