It was a moment to savour as former TNA Superstar AJ Styles made his grand WWE debut at the Royal Rumble 2016 on Sunday, and the question that arises now on everyone's mind is whether the veteran pro wrestler is good enough to make it to the main event in Wrestlemania 32.
The 38-year-old, who became one of the biggest names in the history of TNA following his more-than-a-decade-long career in the pro wrestling company, entered the Royal Rumble in Orlando as the third contestant, amidst much cheer from the WWE Universe.
Of course, the prospect of Roman Reigns facing AJ during the 30-man battle royale was mouthwatering, but fans indeed wanted more of the action, probably on the grandest stage of the WWE — the Wrestlemania.
And with WWE superstars like John Cena and possibly Seth Rollins and Randy Orton slated to be out of the PPV this year, AJ making a shocking main event doesn't look very unlikely either. However, the storyline could be expected to change now that Triple H is the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
And the COO of the company defending his title in the main event of Wrestlemania this year could possibly be confirmed for now. But who will be his challenger? Roman Reigns looks most likely at this point, with the Vince McMahon-ordered League of Nations taking Reigns out of the Royal Rumble match. WWE could plan to give the Reigns vs the McMahon family storyline a push for the next few months, building up to Wrestlemania.
The prospect of seeing Reigns battle it out with Triple H in the main event looks a possibility now, but with a grand pro wrestling superstar like AJ Styles entering the fray just before the grand event, Vince and his staff wouldn't mind tweaking the storyline to give the WWE Universe an experience to savour at Wrestlemania 32.
"The Phenomenal One", as AJ Styles is referred to, has held a totale of 19 titles in the TNA, including three NWA World Heavyweight Championships and two TNA World Titles. During his time in Japan later with New Japan Pro Wrestling, AJ won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on two occasions.
There are many things that can work in AJ's favour in the WWE, which include his intelligence as well as his in-ring abilities, but what needs to be seen now foremost is whether Vince McMahon is indeed planning to push the superstar to the main roster at the earliest.
For AJ Styles, it is maybe just the beginning, and from his words, he is here to build his legacy. Pro wrestling fans not only see his debut in WWE as just a debut but it also means his return to the pro wrestling business to further build his decorated career.
"WWE, the biggest wrestling company in the world," AJ Styles said after his Royal Rumble debut on Sunday. "Don't be afraid, I've got a couple of more years in the Royal Rumble, and it will be different next time," he said on his early elimination.