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WWE News: Chris Jericho Says AJ Styles Is Better Now Than When He Debuted In WWE

By Shawn Lealos
Published on: 07:21 PST, Nov 14, 2016

For years, wrestling fans wondered what would happen if the WWE ever signed AJ Styles. It finally happened this year when AJ Styles made his WWE in-ring debut at the Royal Rumble. Since that debut, AJ Styles has become one of the top wrestlers in the entire WWE, much to the surprise of no one who followed his career.

In an interview with the Toronto Sun, Chris Jericho said that AJ Styles is better now than he was when he joined the WWE 10 months ago. He also took some of the credit for the WWE putting him in the main event scene after the two men feuded at the start of AJ Styles’ WWE tenure.

“There’s always a little bit of a transition period. I’m happy that I was able to help him with that… After a month or two months of seeing what this guy was capable of, I don’t think he had anybody denying the fact that he is one of the best in the world.”

Since the Chris Jericho feud, AJ Styles has moved into one of the top heels in the WWE. He joined forces with his New Japan partners in The Club, but then he was sent to SmackDown Live on his own to succeed or fall. He ultimately succeeded to a high level, actually beating John Cena in a feud.

AJ Styles is now the WWE world champion and rules over the entire SmackDown Live roster. Anyone who has followed the career of AJ Styles is not surprised, although Chris Jericho said that very few people inside the WWE expected this because they don’t pay attention to anything outside of the company.

AJ Styles wrestled in Ring of Honor for four years, but it was in TNA Impact Wrestling that he became a star. He was in TNA from the day they opened until 2013 when walked away from the company where he was the entire face of the brand.

While in TNA Impact Wrestling, AJ Styles won the world championship five times, the X-Division championship six times, and the tag team titles four times. He was the most accomplished wrestler to ever step foot in a TNA Impact Wrestling ring.

When AJ Styles left TNA Impact Wrestling, he went to New Japan and proved he was still a huge main event talent. He won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice during his time there. After that, the WWE finally signed him. AJ Styles said that he had something to prove when he left TNA Impact Wrestling.

“I didn’t shed one tear when I left TNA. I was very emotional when I left New Japan.”

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As Chris Jericho said, AJ Styles was great before coming to the WWE, but he had to learn how to wrestle under the WWE style. He has since exceeded all expectations, becoming even better than he was before.

“He’s the champion on Smackdown, as he should be. He’s a great performer, he’s a great character… I think he’s a better performer now than when he first got here because he has adapted… All across the board he’s A-plus, A-plus, A-plus… My goodness, it’s only been nine months. Imagine where he’s going to be next year at this time.”

AJ Styles is the face of SmackDown Live, and John Cena put him over more than once. It is clear that the WWE has all the faith in the world in AJ Styles and has earned their trust.

[Featured Image by WWE]

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