AJ Styles's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of AJ Styles.
Allen Neal Jones, known as AJ Styles, is a prominent American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE's Raw brand. Styles is recognized for his exceptional in-ring skills, athletic prowess, and charismatic persona. He has achieved significant success throughout his career, holding multiple championships in various wrestling promotions, including WWE, TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling), and NJPW (New Japan Pro-Wrestling). He is widely considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of his generation.
August 1999: Television Championship Win
In August 1999, AJ Styles won the Television Championship in the Georgia-based National Championship Wrestling (NCW) promotion.
December 22, 2001: NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship
On December 22, 2001, at Christmas Chaos, A.J. Styles defeated Rick Michaels for the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship.
May 2002: TNA Signing and X Division Championship Win
In May 2002, AJ Styles signed with NWA: Total Nonstop Action (NWA-TNA). He won the inaugural TNA X Division Championship.
July 2003: NWA World Heavyweight Championship Defenses
Throughout July 2003, AJ Styles successfully defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in matches against D'Lo Brown and various other opponents.
February 4, 2004: NWA World Tag Team Championship Win
On February 4, 2004, AJ Styles teamed with Abyss and won the NWA World Tag Team Championship after defeating Kevin Northcutt and Legend, despite being abandoned by Abyss during the match.
March 20, 2004: IWC Super Indy Champion
On March 20, 2004, AJ Styles returned to IWC, entering the promotions Super Indy Survivor Showdown tournament. Styles' faced IWC Super Indy Champion Colt Cabana in the final in a winning effort, capturing the title.
2004: IWA Mid-South 2004 Ted Petty Invitational Win
In 2004, AJ Styles returned to IWA Mid-South and won the 2004 Ted Petty Invitational after defeating Jimmy Rave, Matt Sydal, Arik Cannon, Bryan Danielson, and Samoa Joe. On October 21, 2004, Styles also won the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship but lost it two days later.
January 4, 2010: TNA World Heavyweight Championship Defense
On January 4, 2010, AJ Styles successfully defended his TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Kurt Angle.
2010: PWI 500 Top Rank
In 2010, AJ Styles was ranked atop the annual Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500, becoming the first TNA wrestler to achieve this recognition.
November 3, 2013: AAA Return and TNA World Heavyweight Championship Defense
On November 3, 2013, AJ Styles returned to AAA and successfully defended the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against El Mesías.
November 16, 2013: Wrestle-1 Debut and TNA Championship Defense
On November 16, 2013, AJ Styles debuted for Wrestle-1, successfully defending the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Seiya Sanada.
January 4, 2014: ROH Return Victory over Roderick Strong
On January 4, 2014, AJ Styles defeated Roderick Strong in his return match on Ring of Honor Wrestling.
January 4, 2015: Victory Over Tetsuya Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 9
On January 4, 2015, AJ Styles defeated Tetsuya Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome.
January 6, 2015: Inserted himself back into the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
On January 6, 2015, AJ Styles inserted himself back into the IWGP Heavyweight Championship picture, when he pinned Tanahashi in an eight-man tag team match, setting up a title match between the two at The New Beginning in Osaka.
March 11, 2015: FWE Heavyweight Championship Win
On March 11, 2015, AJ Styles defeated John Hennigan to win the FWE Heavyweight Championship in a best of three falls match.
May 29, 2015: House of Glory Victory Over Justin Gabriel
On May 29, 2015, as the reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion, AJ Styles defeated Justin Gabriel at House of Glory High Intensity 4.
2015: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Award
In 2015, AJ Styles won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter award for Wrestler of the Year.
2016: WWE Return and Championship Win
In 2016, AJ Styles returned to WWE and won the WWE Championship twice. His return marked a significant milestone in his career.
2016: Wrestler of the Year
In 2016, AJ Styles was voted PWI Wrestler of the Year. This accolade is a recognition of his performance and impact in the wrestling industry.
2017: Hall of Fame Induction
In 2017, AJ Styles was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
January 28, 2018: AJ Styles retains the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble
On January 28, 2018, AJ Styles retained the WWE Championship in a handicap match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at the Royal Rumble.
2018: PWI Wrestler of the Year
In 2018, AJ Styles was voted PWI Wrestler of the Year for the third time.
2020: Wrestler of the Decade
In 2020, AJ Styles was named Wrestler of the Decade by PWI, solidifying his legacy as one of the greats in professional wrestling.
