10 reasons why AJ Styles is the best wrestler in the world right now.

Forty years ago, a man named Allan Neal Jones was born into abject poverty -- so poor that he didn't even own a television. In order to combat the bullies who made his life a living hell, Jones took up amateur wrestling.

He proved to be a natural talent, and earned a partial scholarship to Anderson University. Jones, having never had a television growing up, was unfamiliar with professional wrestling, but he went along with some friends to a try out camp.

Allan Jones became AJ Styles, proving that he had an aptitude for the professional variant of wrestling as well. Fast forward to 2018, and many critics and fans agree that AJ Styles is truly the best wrestler in the world.

Here are ten reasons that might be the truth.

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#1 He wrestled for a major promotion while still a rookie

Air Paris and "air' Styles in WCW

During its fading years, WCW tried to go back to its roots by featuring young, athletic talent that it could groom to become future major players in the business.

It was in 2001 that WCW came calling on AJ Style's door. They had observed his matches with Air Paris and decided that the two would make a fine addition to their roster. At the time, most believed that Air Paris was the true breakout star, and AJ was just riding his coattails.

Wouldn't those people be surprised by 2018!

#2 A truly phenomenal rookie year

Most wrestlers go years, or even their entire careers, without seeing championship gold.

But not AJ Styles.

Less than a year after he debuted for National Championship Wrestling -- a Georgia based promotion - -he had captured the NCW television title. And he was just getting started.

#3 He's faced the best the world has to offer in competition -- and won

The list of opponents AJ Styles has faced and defeated reads like a who's who of the best wrestlers on the planet; Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, Jay Lethal, Michael Elgin... the names go on and on.

You can judge a wrestler's worth by his competition, and AJ's has been top notch for his entire career.

#4 A huge collection of titles

AJ Styles must have a magnet hidden somewhere in his body, because everywhere he goes he seems to end up wearing a metal belt.

AJ has won over twenty different championships in over a dozen different promotions. Politics and backstage dealings can sometimes put a title on an unworthy wrestler, but in order to win a belt EVERY place you work at you actually have to be worth the gold.

AJ is worth the gold, every time.

#5 He remains a man of the people

Sometimes, it seems like celebrities can be quite elitist. From Kanye West to *ahem* Enzo Amore they seem more concerned with preening for the cameras and rubbing their success in the faces of the fans than truly resonating with them.

But not Styles. He has kept his humble beginnings near and dear to his heart, and he always takes the time to speak with fans and make them feel special. Fans are often awed by how down to earth and humble AJ Styles seems despite his phenomenal success. Keeping a connection with fans is crucial to success as a wrestler, and it seems that AJ has that covered.

#6 Face or Heel, he gets cheers

As good as AJ Styles is, there's one role he can't seem to play very well; That of a heel.

AJ has been booked to be the 'bad guy' several times by different promotions, but it never goes well because the fans will still cheer for AJ anyway.

This is because he has earned the fans' respect, and his good nature and humility shine through even the vilest of characters he sets out to play.

#7 A heart as big as his native state of Georgia

AJ Styles has never forgotten his tough upbringing, or the opportunities that came his way.

He gives back to the community in many ways, by being a role model and paragon of virtue, but also by taking the time to meet and greet children with serious illnesses, like the fan in the photo above.

AJ's humility and good heart endear him to fans around the world in a way that others simply cannot match.

#8 His peers respect him deeply

If you ask wrestlers who they want to work with in a dream match, nine times out of ten they're going to say AJ Styles.

AJ has a rare gift of being able to bring out the best of any opponent, and always takes the time and effort to make sure his foes get a chance to shine during their matches.

That kind of dedication and professionalism has been largely absent from the wrestling world at the highest levels, and it's nice that AJ has brought it back into...style.

#9 A gifted high flyer

AJ isn't afraid to use high-risk offense, like a top rope plancha, to win his matches and dazzle the crowd.

AJ is one of the most consistent, exciting, and--most importantly--safe high flyers in the business, past or present. He may lack the aerial artistry of Neville or the speed of The Young Bucks, but AJ always hits what he aims at and looks good doing it.

#10 The best technical wrestler in the world today

If there's a wrestling move, AJ knows it, and seven ways to counter it.

He can mat wrestle, he can use submissions, he's an excellent striker, and he can utilize suplexes, inside cradles, and huracanranas with the best of them.

In other words... AJ can do it all, and with Style!

Please comment and let us know if you agree or disagree.