UPDATE: WWE’s signing of AJ Styles and Austin Aries is changing perceptions in the company for talent acquisitions. In the past, WWE apparently had no interest in Styles or Aries due to their looks, but the success of Aries in NXT and the way Styles has gotten over on the main roster has caused WWE to change its mentality on signing “great workers who looked like normal guys.” By “normal guys,” it’s likely because Aries and Styles don’t fit a typical WWE big man mold.
As previously reported (see below), Styles was initially brought and expected to be a midcarder at best. However, fan reaction to AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble and house shows has caused WWE to consider Styles one of the promotion’s current top stars.
ORIGINAL: AJ Styles was originally supposed to be a mid-level wrestler when he signed with the WWE.
That plan changed after the live reaction from fans at the Royal Rumble. Thanks to that, and more importantly, the reactions he gets at live events, WWE now considers him “one of the company’s top five stars.”
Various: Charlie (Dakota Kai) To Make In-Ring Debut for House of Glory at HOG Culture Clash, AAA World Cruiserweight Title Four-way Match Set for AAA Rey de Reyes 2026, Current Card for 3/13 ROH TV Special Episode, Indies/Misc.
Danhausen Announced for WWE 2K26 DLC & Full DLC List Announced
WWE: Backstage Update on WWE’s Internal Reaction to Danhausen’s WWE Debut, Broadcast Status Update for NXT Stand & Deliver 2026, Bayley on Her Upcoming Match with AJ Lee for WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title
