WWE: Ranking the 4 Greatest Rookie Years Ever

WWE.com

4. AJ Styles

AJ Styles might not of had the greatest rookie year, despite what Mauro Ranallo claims. However, The Phenomenal One does crack the list for hist first year in WWE proved that his success around the world was not just a fluke.

Styles gained fame around the world competing in TNA, ROH, and NJPW. He would win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the TNA Championship during his time on the indies. Styles had become the most polarizing wrestler never to compete in WWE.

However after weeks and speculation, Styles debut in WWE as a surprise entrant in the 2016 Royal Rumble at Number 3. Styles didn’t win the match but did last close to 30 mins showing quickly he could hang with WWE’s best.

Styles would then enter a feud with Chris Jericho with the feud culminating with Jericho beating Styles at WrestleMania 32. Styles would rebound quickly, on the following night on RAW Styles won a Fatal Four Way Match to crown him as the Number One Contender for the WWE Championship.

Styles would come up short on two occasions to Roman Reigns but showed that he could have five-star matches with anyone. Styles would then enter the Feud of the Year with John Cena that would consist of the whole Summer.

Styles would defeat Cena at both Money in the Bank and at Summerslam in what might possibly be the match of the year in WWE. During this time Styles was drafted by Smackdown Live with their second draft pick.

Styles brought his momentum of the Summer to defeat Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship at Backlash, just eight months after his debut. Styles would help lead Team Smackdown Live to victory over Team RAW at Survivor Series, and then defeat Ambrose in an epic TLC match in December.

Styles first year has been one to remember and he will hope to carry this momentum into 2017 with an epic rematch with John Cena at the 2017 Royal Rumble now being his first challenge to concur.