10 WWE Alternate History Outcomes And Consequences

1. As WCW Falls, WWE Sign Little Known Prospect AJ Styles

How did AJ Styles, the man who built the house of SmackDown Live, become the Phenomenal One? Being a great natural athlete helped, but AJ’s legend took years of hard work and travel to build. Many of those years were spent with Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA), then in New Japan as leader of Bullet Club.

Following his epic run overseas, AJ made an iconic Royal Rumble debut in WWE. The rest, as they say, is history.

But he was in his late thirties and early forties by the time he achieved all he achieved with the company. What if Vince McMahon had snagged his ace a lot sooner?

WWE had their chance to get Styles in 2001, long before he wowed the audiences of TNA or New Japan. When WCW went out of business, one of the deepest talent rosters in pro wrestling history went up for grabs. Names included Goldberg, Booker T, and promising high-flyer AJ Styles.

But until something is already established, WWE simply have a hard time seeing it.

If they had signed Styles then, it would have been a far less-experienced version of him. He would still have all the talent, and athleticism, but it’s also safe to assume that WWE would not go out of their way to nurture a talent of his size.

With WWE’s emphasis on sports entertainment, it’s doubtful that he would be showcased in longer matches, or that he would be allowed to get over based on the quality of his wrestling.

Without those early opportunities in TNA’s X Division, and in Bullet Club, AJ may find success, but he would not ascend to become the phenomenal champion we know and love today. At least not in WWE.

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