5 rare moves AJ Styles should bring back in 2018

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Requesting a megastar such as AJ Styles to bring back some of his most unique moves might be considered an insult to the man himself, as he is already delivering classic matches every week with his standard arsenal. Furthermore, considering the fact that Styles is over 40 years old and can still perform half of the insane stuff he does in the squared circle is beyond the understanding of many, but can he do any better?

The simple answer is, of course, yes, as throughout his career Styles has delivered rare move after rare move and he should bring some of those special moves back this year. Now, most would have complaints about the moves on this list as Styles' age doesn't favor him in the taking risks department.

Most these moves are not WWE centric, and there are risks in performing most of these wrestling maneuvers. But when you have a talented professional wrestler such as AJ Styles at the helm, one can be rest assured these rare moves would make any match even more dramatic.


#1 Fosbury Flop

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Styles is impressive in the air in various ways.

This move is widely used in the high jump athletics event. The graceful aerial maneuver was popularised, perfected and performed by the American athlete Dick Fosbury, whose gold medal in the 1968 Summer Olympics brought it to the world's attention. In respect to professional wrestling, it was "The Phenomenal One" that popularised the move by launching himself in many suspension disbelieving moments.

While most would argue that Styles, at the age of 41 would not be able to launch himself over the top rope as he did when he was a young buck in TNA, by still being able to pull off 450 splashes, phenomenal forearms and springboard reverse DDT's, Styles can surely pull out this feat of athletic beauty. And during a high drama match that would make the fans go nuts.

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#2 Brainbuster DDT

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A move that can end any match.

With all the concussion issues wrestlers have faced over the years, it is wise that WWE has banned head chair shots, piledrivers, and brainbuster DDTs. Besides, now most would ponder as to why is this move on the list in the first place?

Well, the reason is simple, AJ Styles has already safely performed this move in the WWE. This is a move that is commonly used in other promotions and during Styles lengthy time on the independent scene, he used this move in succession.

AJ Styles busting out a Brainbuster during a match would not only get a pop from the hardcore fanbase sitting in the arena, but it would signify the level of desperation building inside of Styles that he has to perform one of the most feared moves in WWE today.

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#3 Springboard Shooting Star Press

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A simple yet visually stunning alternative to his 450 Splash.

AJ Styles' 450 Splash is one of the most glorious aerial moves in WWE today as the man can literally perform one in any situation and make a simple aerial roll look devastatingly painful. Well, while the 450 Splash has become a signature for Styles during his legendary career, so has his patterned Shooting Star Press.

While this move may be extremely overused in today's landscape of wrestling, a veteran such as Styles pulling one of his oldest tricks can surprise his opponent and the audience. While many may be more used to witness the current WWE Champion dishing out Phenomenal Forearm's over the top rope, his springboard Shooting Star Press to the outside of the squared circle is a thing of beauty.

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#4 Hallow Point

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A dangerous move, but one can trust AJ Styles with its execution.

As mentioned earlier, WWE has banned dangerous moves due to concussion-related injuries, and the Piledriver is possibly the worst move of them all. As many legends had their careers ended due to this move, but WWE did not ban all piledriver related maneuvers, as The Undertaker's Tombstone Piledriver remains a visually vicious yet fairly safe move. Moreover, for what it is worth, AJ Styles Hallow Point can be described in the same light.

Styles Hallow Point is a Styles Clash-Piledriver, as he picks his opponent up to put them in the Styles Clash position but drops them in a Piledriver and picks them up again and executes the Styles Clash. This move might never see the light of day in a WWE ring, but in a high profile match, Styles could safely perform this move with ease and end a classic match with a bang.

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#5 Spiral Tap

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A true thing of beauty.

When you ask any wrestling fan what is one move would they like to see AJ Styles perform in WWE, their answer would be just two words, 'Spiral Tap'. The corkscrew senton, or as many calls it the Spiral Tap is one of the most flawless top rope moves of all time, and AJ Styles made the move look even better.

With all the aerial mayhem Styles causes on a weekly basis, it might be asking too much of the man to perform a move he has not done in years, but boy would it bring back a lot of good nostalgic memories of so many fans.

From multiple Coup de Graces to Frog Splashes being performed on a regular basis, it becomes hard for fans to appreciate a top rope finisher that gets them excited genuinely, but one Spiral Tap from the man that made it famous would surely qualify for OMG moment of the year.

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