Brock Lesnar has been the standard of what dominance looks like in the world of professional wrestling. WWE Survivor Series 2017 should set the stage for AJ Styles to prove that his speed and experience, a combination owned by no other in the WWE, should be considered equally as lethal.
About a decade ago, I recall briefly getting into TNA due to the hype around some character named AJ Styles. It was then that I learned that he is more than the proprietor of one the most impressive offensive arsenals to ever be displayed in a wrestling ring.
What he created in the ring was art, showing that this gritty, uber-athletic Georgia bulldog could transcend the “body guy” image of professional wrestling and, with the likes of Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe, create the new standard that performers should strive for. In the years since, Styles has garnered a reputation at being the greatest in-ring performer in professional wrestling by running through every wrestling organization wise enough to book him.
On Sunday at WWE Survivor Series 2017, Styles faces Brock Lesnar, a champion with a background and justified dominance we are likely to never see again in wrestling. A WWE that still contains Lesnar’s grindhouse majesty leaves little room for another performer to stand on equal ground. This leaves the WWE and AJ Styles in a precarious position to figure out how AJ Styles is going to walk away still being considered a viable nominee as the wearer of WWE’s brass ring.
The solution was revealed by Paul Heyman during his promo during this past week’s Monday Night Raw: speed kills. Not only does AJ Styles possess a speed that kills, but a resume that trumps almost any other in today’s professional wrestling landscape.
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In his match with Lesnar, Styles needs to be allowed to open up and utilize a vast offensive playbook constructed over the better part of two decades, and all over the globe. Despite his collegiate wrestling, ultimate fighting, and professional wrestling background, Styles possesses a resume solely-focused on professional wrestling that is able to bring “The Beast Incarnate” to the brink of defeat.
In comparison, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin almost vanquished the legendary Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13, passing out to the pain of the Sharpshooter instead of tapping out. This finish did more for Austin than if he would have won, as the choice to not tap out cemented him as being the “toughest s.o.b. in the WWE”. This creative choice was made in clear recognition that Austin was going to be the future of the company.
At age 40 and with a beautiful family at home, it would be difficult to assume that AJ Styles is able to take on the role of being the future of the WWE. However, his independent wrestling background, taking him to TNA, Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and beyond represents a blueprint for greatness for all prospective “futures” of WWE and of the professional wrestling industry. Survivor Series needs to provide a stage that this accumulation of experience, which allows one to accumulate knowledge of various styles, can allow someone the size of AJ Styles to chop down a god-like figure like Brock Lesnar.
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There is no title on the line between Lesnar and Styles at Survivor Series, and there doesn’t need to be just yet. Survivor Series should be far from a coming out party for AJ Styles, has his greatness has been on full display for years. Survivor Series should instead be in the genesis of the idea that speed and experience contains equal value as a collegiate wrestling and ultimate fighting background.