The Prince of Phenomenal/Goofy AJ Styles Appreciation Thread

[Magic knows Black Lives Matter]

I know a lot of people didn't like AJ's character in 2007-the first half of 2008 because he was someone's lackey but I thought AJ was at his peak entertainment level during this phase of his career. He's never been a great promo guy or all that charismatic outside of the ring but he was hilarious to me here. The silly crown, the almost child-like admiration of Christian (and to a lesser extant, Kurt Angle), and just being an all around dumb redneck that can do flips. He was such a goober that it was impossible for me not to love him. Let's appreciate this wonderful character known as "The Prince of Phenomenal"

[berlynwright]

he himself said he enjoyed his time with Christian and Tomko

[Just call me D.j.m.]

Who didn't like AJ during this period? And this showed that AJ IS charismatic and can be "entertainy".

It also gave us that great trip to Gator Land with Karen.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

One of AJ's best runs ever performance wise, even though he wasn't booked the strongest. He's a good example of someone who has charisma despite not being a very good talker (see also: Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan).

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

I am just glad he and Tomko got a good run with the tag team titles. They were a good pair and could put on great matches.

[Neo: "The One" who CLAPS]

Man, I f***ing loved the Christian Coalition

[OVO 40 hunched over like he 80]

My favorite moments where:
Him wearing a directors hat and yelling action at Christian scaring him.
His amateur wrestling match with Scott Steiner.
Him saving Christian a spot on the table next to him at Kurt Angle's thanksgiving table.
Being sad that Christian called Roode "Kid", "he calls me that, I'm the kid".
And finally the match he had with Tomko against Rtruth and Consequences Creed

[Kevin Hamilton]

He played it really well, but it still felt like a step back for him.

It was a good character, and he was able to show some personality, but it also was like he shouldn't have been a second banana at that point.

[A Platypus Rave]

Aug 15, 2014 14:42:08 GMT -5 Kevin Hamilton said:

He played it really well, but it still felt like a step back for him.

It was a good character, and he was able to show some personality, but it also was like he shouldn't have been a second banana at that point.

Yeah, this is how I felt about it.

It was funny but he was already a former world champion at that point... not to mention AJ should have been slotted as the official Face of TNA for years before that...

[Just call me D.j.m.]

Aug 15, 2014 14:45:00 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Aug 15, 2014 14:42:08 GMT -5 Kevin Hamilton said:

He played it really well, but it still felt like a step back for him.

It was a good character, and he was able to show some personality, but it also was like he shouldn't have been a second banana at that point.

Yeah, this is how I felt about it.

It was funny but he was already a former world champion at that point... not to mention AJ should have been slotted as the official Face of TNA for years before that...

Yes, but we all knew TNA at this point. Someone from WWE comes in, AJ plays second to them, and Joe puts them over. That was the gameplan, and dammit if they didn't stick to it.

Because "real stars" and getting stopped in the airport and all that stuff.

[Kevin Hamilton]

As well, it didn't feel right him being second in command to Christian, who while a quality dude, has certainly never been head and shoulders above an AJ spot in the pecking order anyway.

[Woo]

AJ Styles was awesome during this period. AJ Styles was awesome all the time actually minus the Ric Flair BS.

[Ken: The Hero of WWE]

I love goofy wrestling things.