AJ Styles Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 16, 2024
AJ Styles Then
AJ Styles, born Allen Neal Jones on June 2, 1977, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was raised under challenging circumstances.
Growing up at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Styles faced a difficult childhood marked by poverty and an abusive, alcoholic father.
Despite these hardships, he found solace and strength in sports, which played a pivotal role in shaping his future.
During his teenage years, Styles attended Johnson High School in Gainesville, Georgia. It was here that he discovered his passion for amateur wrestling.
His dedication and hard work paid off, as he became a two-time state wrestling champion, a testament to his resilience and talent.
His achievements on the mat not only helped him gain confidence but also paved the way for his future endeavors.
After high school, Styles pursued higher education at Anderson University in South Carolina.
This period marked a significant transition in his life, allowing him to further develop his skills and prepare for a professional career.
His background in wrestling provided a solid foundation for his eventual transition into professional wrestling, where he would go on to become one of the most celebrated figures in the sport.
Related Article: Christopher Daniels Then and Now
AJ Styles’ Wrestling Career
AJ Styles, born Allen Neal Jones, began his professional wrestling career in 1998 with National Championship Wrestling (NCW) under the ring name Mr. Olympia.
His early years in the industry involved competing in smaller independent promotions, where he honed his skills and built a reputation.
A significant turning point came when NCW merged with NWA Georgia to form NWA Wildside.
It was here that Jones adopted the ring name, AJ Styles, marking the beginning of his rise in the wrestling world.
Related Article: Frankie Kazarian Then and Now
In 2001, Styles made his debut with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he formed a tag team with Air Paris, further showcasing his wrestling prowess.
Over the next few years, Styles competed in various promotions, including All Pro Wrestling, Xcitement Wrestling Federation, World Wrestling All-Stars, the East Coast Wrestling Association, and Frontier Wrestling Alliance.
His versatility and skill quickly garnered attention, and by 2002, he made a notable debut in Ring of Honor (ROH).
Styles quickly became a main event attraction, winning the ROH Tag Team Championship with Amazing Red in 2003.
Related Article: Alex Shelley Then and Now
Although he faced setbacks, such as an unsuccessful challenge for the ROH World Championship against Samoa Joe, he later captured the inaugural ROH Pure Championship, solidifying his status in the promotion.
Styles’ career continued to flourish as he returned to the International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) and won the IWC Super Indy Championship.
His journey also led him to Combat Zone Wrestling and Maximum Pro Wrestling, where he claimed titles such as the MXPW Television Championship.
In 2004, he won his second Super Indy Championship in IWC and later achieved success in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) and the IWA Mid-South.
Related Article: Chris Sabin Then and Now
His time in PWG saw him win the PWG Championship in 2005. A major chapter in Styles’ career unfolded with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
He became the inaugural TNA X Division Champion in 2002 and won multiple titles, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Tag Team Championship.
His achievements in TNA included a record-setting reign as the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, where he held the title for 211 days.
Styles also became a prominent figure in TNA’s various factions and alliances, including the Fortune alliance and the TNA Front Line.
Related Article: Axl Rotten Then and Now
Following his departure from TNA in late 2013, Styles continued to make an impact in international wrestling.
He competed in Japanese promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Mexican promotions like AAA and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre.
His return to NJPW in 2014 saw him win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice, further establishing his global presence.
Styles’ return to the independent circuit between 2014 and 2016 allowed him to capture additional titles, including the FWE Heavyweight Championship and the RPW British Heavyweight Championship.
Related Article: The Sandman Then and Now
In early 2016, he signed with WWE, where he quickly made a mark. Styles won the WWE World Championship in 2016, becoming the first champion crowned outside North America.
His reign as WWE Champion included significant milestones, such as becoming the longest-reigning WWE Champion in SmackDown history.
Styles continued to add to his legacy with additional championships, including the United States Championship and Intercontinental Championship, showcasing his enduring talent and versatility in the wrestling world.
Related Article: Stevie Richards Then and Now
AJ Styles Wrestling Competition
- National Championship Wrestling (NCW)
- NWA Wildside
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
- All Pro Wrestling (APW)
- Xcitement Wrestling Federation (XWF)
- World Wrestling All-Stars (WWA)
- East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA)
- Frontier Wrestling Alliance (FWA)
- Ring of Honor (ROH)
- International Wrestling Cartel (IWC)
- Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW)
- Maximum Pro Wrestling (MXPW)
- Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG)
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
- National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
- Inoki Genome Federation (IGF)
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
- Wrestle-1
- AAA (Asistencia Asesoría y Administración)
- Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)
- Preston City Wrestling (PCW)
- Family Wrestling Entertainment (FWE)
- Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW)
- Chikara
- 5 Star Wrestling
- WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)
AJ Styles’ Wife and Children
AJ Styles and his wife, Wendy, have built a strong and supportive family unit since their marriage in 2000.
The couple has three sons—Ajay, Avery, and Albey—and a daughter named Anney.
Their family life is centered in Gainesville, Georgia, where they have established a stable and nurturing home environment.
Related Article: Raven Then and Now
Styles’ dedication to his family is evident in the way he balances his demanding wrestling career with his role as a father and husband.
His wife Wendy has been a significant source of support throughout his career, providing a solid foundation that allows him to thrive both in the ring and at home.
The couple’s children have grown up surrounded by the excitement of their father’s wrestling career, while also enjoying the stability and love of their close-knit family life.
Related Article: Eddie Guerrero Then and Now
AJ Styles Now
AJ Styles, born Allen Neal Jones, is currently 47 years old and remains a prominent figure in the professional wrestling world.
Known by his ring name, AJ Styles, he is signed to WWE and performs on the SmackDown brand, continuing to make significant contributions to the promotion.
Styles has maintained a reputation as one of the most versatile and skilled wrestlers in the industry, a testament to his longevity and adaptability in the sport.
Related Article: Chavo Guerrero Then and Now
On June 12, 2024, Pro Wrestling Noah announced a major event involving Styles, generating excitement among wrestling fans.
This announcement was scheduled to culminate in a significant reveal at the NOAH Grand Ship event in Yokohama on June 16, 2024.
At this event, it was disclosed that Styles would make his debut for Pro Wrestling Noah by competing against Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH Destination on July 13, 2024.
Related Article: X-Pac Then and Now
This marked a notable crossover appearance for Styles, highlighting his international appeal and continued relevance in the global wrestling scene.
In his debut match for Pro Wrestling Noah, AJ Styles faced Naomichi Marufuji, a highly respected wrestler in the Japanese promotion.
Styles’ victory over Marufuji at NOAH Destination not only showcased his ability to adapt to different wrestling styles but also solidified his status as a leading figure in wrestling, capable of bridging various wrestling worlds and continuing to deliver high-caliber performances.
Related Article: Billy Gunn Then and Now
AJ Styles’ Net Worth
AJ Styles, a highly accomplished professional wrestler, has a net worth of $4 million.
This financial success reflects his longstanding career and significant contributions to the sport, including his roles in major wrestling promotions such as WWE and his impactful performances across various international wrestling circuits.
His wealth is a testament to his dedication, skill, and popularity in the wrestling world.
Related Article: Road Dogg Then and Now
FAQs
AJ Styles has a net worth of approximately $4 million, reflecting his successful career in professional wrestling.
AJ Styles’ best friend in wrestling is often considered to be Christopher Daniels, with whom he has shared a long and successful professional relationship, including tag team successes.
Recently, AJ Styles made headlines with his debut for Pro Wrestling Noah, where he faced and defeated Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH Destination on July 13, 2024.
Before joining WWE, AJ Styles had a successful career in various promotions including TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling), where he won multiple championships, and he also competed internationally in promotions like NJPW (New Japan Pro-Wrestling).
Yes, AJ Styles is going to Japan. He recently debuted for Pro Wrestling Noah and competed in a match against Naomichi Marufuji.
AJ Styles currently resides in Gainesville, Georgia, where he lives with his family.