5 must-watch matches of AJ Styles before WWE

#3 AJ Styles vs Minoru Suzuki- G1 Climax, 2014

During his run with New Japan Pro Wrestling, AJ Styles had two of the greatest and adaptable G1 Climax runs a Professional Wrestler could ever ask for and despite failing to win the prestigious G1 Tournament on either occasions, ‘The Phenomenal One’ did manage to live up to all of his hype thanks to his brilliant in-ring performances during the Grand One Climax.

Styles’ showdown against Minoru Suzuki from 2014 is definitely one of the standout matches of an incredible 2014 G1 Climax and was arguably one of the best Pro Wrestling matches of all time.

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Styles, who despite leading the Bullet Club at that point of time, failed to somewhat attract the attention of the Japanese crowd, but this match was basically the turning point for AJ’s career in NJPW as he and Suzuki Gun leader Minoru Suzuki absolutely stole the show in a 20 minute classic at the Korakuen Hall.

Throughout the entirety of the contest, Suzuki targeted Styles’ arm and fingers in particular, with the latter putting in an amazing selling performance simultaneously as well.

The two run-ins from members of the rest of The Bullet Club and Suzuki Gun was also an amazing touch to the match aswell and by the closing stages of the contest, Styles finally managed to hit the Styles Clash on MiSu to bring an end to an absolutely thrilling contest.

About the author

Soumik Datta is a professional wrestling journalist who has been following the business for more than a decade.

In 2017, Soumik joined the Sportskeeda Wrestling team and is best known for his work with the WWE team. He has previously contributed to the Sportskeeda AEW, MMA, and the football team where he specifically covered the Major League Soccer.

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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.