5 WWE dream matches for AJ Styles before he retires

AJ Styles is one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Initially making his name in TNA Wrestling (now IMPACT Wrestling), Styles eventually became a top tier superstar for WWE and is now a household name with wrestling fans around the world.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles made his pro-wrestling debut in 1998 after being trained by Rick Michaels. Having caught the eye on the independent circuit, Styles signed for WCW just months prior to their demise. He eventually tried out for WWE, then the World Wrestling Federation, but was not offered a deal.

Styles once again worked his way around the independent scene, before landing in TNA in 2002. He became instrumental in the development of the company and became one of its biggest stars. Starting in the promotions famous X-Division, he then became a top tier talent competing for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

After twelve years with the company, Styles left citing reasons relating to a new contract offered to him. He eventually flew halfway around the world to perform for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, becoming the leader of the Bullet Club stable.

Following a successful two years in Japan, AJ left NJPW in 2016 after he unsuccessfully challenged Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 10. Upon his departure, he immediately joined WWE and debuted at the Royal Rumble event just weeks later.

AJ went on to become a three-time United States Champion, a one-time RAW Tag Team Champion, a one-time Intercontinental Champion and a two-time WWE Champion during his current tenure with the company.

Now at the age of 44, he has faced the best of the best, but there are still plenty of WWE dream matches still open for him to have.

That being said, let's take a look at five WWE dream matches for AJ Styles before he retires.

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#5 AJ Styles vs. Cesaro

It is hard to believe that AJ Styles has been in WWE for six years and is yet to face Cesaro one-on-one on television. How has this not happened yet?

In fact, the two colliding one-on-one has only happened once at a live event in 2016, and that's it. They have competed in a few tag team matches, but none of them will compare to seeing them go toe-to-toe against each other.

The hard-hitting Cesaro against the high-flying AJ Styles just has showstealer written all over it. It certainly needs to happen sometime in the future, and it is very likely it will happen someday before AJ walks away from the ring.

#4 AJ Styles vs. Triple H

In June 2019, AJ Styles teamed up with Triple H, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows against the team of Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre and Samoa Joe. The match took place at the famous Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. The match was a non-televised event.

Outside of this, the only time AJ and Triple H were in the same match was the 2016 Royal Rumble match. They have not crossed paths on any other occasion in WWE. Is it time that we finally got to see two generations collide with Styles vs. Triple H on a big stage?

Of course, The Game has been dealing with some health issues as of late when he suffered a cardiac event in 2021. His in-ring status is currently unknown, but if there is a chance for him to lace up his boots again, a dream match against Styles should be high on that list.

#3 AJ Styles vs. Big E

Another match that has surprisingly never happened on television is a one-on-one match between AJ Styles and Big E.

Similar to Cesaro, they have collided one-on-one just once in a non-televised event, and have collided multiple times in tag team matches. It is now surely long overdue to see them go head-to-head.

In an interview in September 2021, Big E spoke about wanting to work with Styles:

"I have so much respect for him as a performer. We’ve had a few interactions, and we had a couple matches with Y2AJ [Styles and Chris Jericho] when they were together, but I would love a proper one-on-one program with him. He is ideal—he’s so good, his offense is so believable, and I could fly around him." (h/t ewrestling)

If a match were to happen, it would have all the ingredients for a great match in front of the WWE Universe.

#2 AJ Styles vs. Goldberg

A collision that would certainly not be one for the faint-hearted would be a match between AJ Styles and Goldberg.

AJ's unique high-flying offense against Goldberg's power and strength would make for an interesting contest inside the WWE ring. Would Goldberg be able to keep up with Styles? Would AJ overcome the odds and avoid the ferosity of Goldberg?

The pair have never crossed paths in the ring in any promotion. An interaction between the two would be something to behold. Although AJ joined WCW in the latter months before closure, it would essentially be a clash of two eras. It is one of the very few era vs. era matches that still exist that could happen.

As it stands, Goldberg reportedly has one match left on his current WWE contract. Could AJ be the one he faces to tick that dream match off somewhere down the line? Time will tell.

#1 AJ Styles vs Edge

The ultimate dream match for the WWE Universe would be a contest between AJ Styles and Edge. WrestleMania 38 is just a few weeks away and this one could easily be penciled in on the card.

It seemed like this match would never happen when Edge retired in 2011, but now, with Edge healthy, it can become a reality. In a recent interview with The Bump, AJ stated that we are getting close to the dream match coming true:

"The last time Edge and I were in the ring together, he separated my shoulder with a spear, which is the way it should have been. We need to get back in the ring with a one-on-one match and get this thing over with. I want this match. He wants this match. When it going to happen? We’re getting close." (h/t 411 Mania)

It's a money match right now, and it simply has to happen sooner rather than later.