Top 5 AJ Styles singles match of 2017

AJ Styles has proved that the glass ceiling in WWE is there to be broken by any good talent. Everybody knows that when "The Phenomenal One" steps inside the squared circle, phenomenal things will happen.

Let's take a look back at Styles' top five singles performance of the year.

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#5 AJ Styles vs Jinder Mahal - Smackdown Live!

The Jinder Mahal experiment failed and WWE needed someone to once again carry the SmackDown live brand. They chose non-other than the man who made SmackDown live the success that it is today - AJ Styles. Styles' win in this match proved that WWE sees him as their dependable workhorse who can carry the company on his back.

This match was by far not the best of A.J. but he made a match with Jinder Mahal entertaining. The surprise finish added to the excitement as Styles regained his spot as the top guy in Smackdown Live.

#4 AJ Styles vs Shane McMahon - Wrestlemania 33

If you need a guy to have the best match of the night with anyone on the roster, look no further the "Phenomenal One".

This match had a slow build, pitting Shane as an unprejudiced employer and AJ as the disgruntled employee. The WrestleMania crowd was hot and ready to cheer Styles in spite of him being the heel.

This was not a match to show the participant's technical excellence but both men played to their strengths. Shane was given enough spots to showcase his daredevil self and in the end, the face embraced the win to bring a well-told story to a fitting end.

#3 AJ Styles vs Finn Balor - TLC

A match booked in the last-minute was one of the highlights of the year for WWE. In a last-minute decision, AJ Styles took Bray Wyatt's spot to face the demon Finn Balor. The match had almost zero build-ups but immediately raised the anticipation for the PPV.

The match was excellent. Each man showcased his best. An excelled back and forth encounter that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Balor needed the win to boost an otherwise lacklustre year. AJ continued to set the benchmark in WWE. However, the wolf kiss at the end of the encounter was icing on the cake.

#2 AJ Styles vs Brock Lesnar - Survivor Series

You know you've made it big in the WWE when the "Beast Incarnate" sells for you. WWE realized that Jinder Mahal will never be taken as a serious opponent for Brock Lesnar and made a surprise title change. Suddenly the Survivor Series became a must watch PPV. Paul Heyman did a brilliant job in putting over the match and Lesnar's opponent was thrashed on the mic. Typically this would lead a beat down by Brock Lesnar but that was not the case here.

The match started as a typical Lesnar match (or beat down) that we have grown used to. Lesnar dominated throughout and all was lost. Then, the unthinkable happened; Styles showed that he could bring the beast down to his knees.

"The Beast Incarnate" started selling his kayfabe injury really well and Styles had the advantage now. It became believable that Lesnar was in real pain when Styles put him in the calf crusher.

The defining moment of this match, however, is something many missed out on. When AJ Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm only to be caught by Lesnar, The Beast Incarnate didn't simply hit the F-5. He hopped on his legs and sold it hard before hitting the F-5 anyway. If that doesn't tell you about Lesnar's respect for Styles in the ring, nothing will.

This match ultimatelyproved two things; Lesnar is still capable of having "phenomenal" matches and WWE are now trusting Styles.

To top things off, Lesnar was selling his knee after the match ended.

Honorable Mentions

As we move on to reveal AJ Styles' best singles match of the year, these are a few that almost made it to the list but lost the spot to other bouts which were slightly better in one aspect or the other.

AJ Styles vs Kevin Owens - Summerslam

This feud got thrown together without putting much thought into it. Going by Kevin Owen's comments on WWE's show 365, we learn that he was not really giving his best throughout the feud.

The match not either man's best work in the ring and having Shane McMahon did not help things. Any other day you would expect a match between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens to blow the roof off but not this one. The underwhelming nature of the match prevents it from cracking the top five.

AJ Styles vs Dean Ambrose - SmackDown Live

All things considered, this match was actually quite entertaining. However, the lack of build and weak storyline prevents it from entering the top five. The match had some incredible moments and is arguably considered as one of SmackDown's best TV match of the year.

#1 AJ Styles vs John Cena - Royal Rumble

AJ Styles vs John Cena was a proven draw. Their encounter in the past year saw Styles cleanly go over, however, the best was yet to come. Their clash at the Royal Rumble is one that people will talk about for years to come. Needless to say, it was an instant match-of-the-year contender.

The story started the previous year when both men stood in the same ring for the first time and the crowd got divided in half.

Their match stole the show. The storytelling was exceptional. "Big match" Cena knew he needed to bring his A game. Styles had proven he can have a great match with a broomstick if the need arises. The two men left it all in the ring. The veterans went back and forth to put the entire locker room to shame.

Two well-executed attitude adjustments got Cena the three count for the win.

Styles' best match of the year would be in a losing effort but it was truly one for the ages.