AJ Styles: The Phenomenal One’s 10 Best Matches Prior to Joining WWE
By Tim Sherry
10. VS. Christopher Daniels – TNA Against All Odds 2005
A perfect way to kick off this list is this match from the February 2005 TNA Against All Odds, because to know AJ Styles and his time in TNA, is to know “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels as well. Best friends outside of the ring and off and on mortal enemies inside it, the duo had been squaring off in a litany of other wrestling promotions since 2001. So when they both signed to TNA in 2002, it seemed like a matter of time before the two would link up again. Although it took three years before finally happening, Styles and Daniels would make it worth it, battling for nearly a year over the company’s X-Division Championship, a division known for high-flying, risk-taking type superstars.
This match at Against All Odds was only their second singles match in TNA but it was the one that gave the X-Division the increased popularity that it deserved. The match, a 30 minute Iron Match bout, came with big expectations to which Styles and Daniels attained. Both guys were brilliant on this night in Orlando as Daniels played the conniving heel, a persona that he became renowned for, and Styles played the hard-charging baby face megastar that was starting to amass. The pairing knew each other extremely well already and it showed as they each anticipated their opponents move set with grace and fluidity, developing this encounter into one of the very best matches of its kind.
The match eventually went over the 30 minutes allotted tied at one apiece which allowed Styles to pick up the exciting victory via Styles Clash in sudden death overtime. It was extremely smart booking as the budding superstar got the win but at the same time gave the heel a reason to get a rematch down the line. Daniels would use that momentum to take the title away from AJ a month later at Destination X but their saga still remained in the infantile stages in what would eventually become one of the greatest rivalries in TNA history.