Friday, May 25, 2007

"The Phenomenal" A.J. Styles, part 1


Allen Lloyd Jones (born June 2, 1978), better known by his ring name "The Phenomenal" A.J. Styles (also written AJ Styles), is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

In May 2002, A.J. Styles was signed to a non-exclusive contract by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and dubbed "The Phenomenal" A.J. Styles (a sobriquet originally coined by NWA Wildside commentator Dan "The Dragon" Wilson). He appeared on the first weekly TNA pay-per-view, teaming with Jerry Lynn and Low-Ki and losing to the Flying Elvises (Jorge Estrada, Sonny Siaki and Jimmy Yang) after he was pinned by Yang. The following week, on June 26, Styles defeated Lynn, Low-Ki and Psicosis in a double elimination match to become the first ever TNA X Division Champion. He won a second title on the third TNA pay-per-view, teaming with Jerry Lynn and defeating Lenny Lane and Bruce in the finals of a tournament for the vacant NWA World Tag Team Championship.

Styles successfully defended both his titles in the following weeks, but began to bicker with the veteran Lynn during their matches together. On August 14, he and Lynn fought Ron Killings and Jeff Jarrett to a no-contest, and the titles were held-up as a result. The following week, he and Lynn fought one another in a Falls Count Anywhere Match (which was won by Lynn), a No Disqualification Match (which was won by Styles) and a ten-minute Iron Man match, which ended in a draw after both men scored three pinfalls. On August 28, Styles defended the X Division Championship against Lynn and Low-Ki in a ladder match, and lost his title to Lynn.

Recruiting Mortimer Plumtree and Sonny Siaki as allies, Styles continued to feud with Lynn in successive weeks. On October 23, he defeated Syxx-Pac for the X Division Championship, thus becoming a two-time champion. He lost the title to Lynn a second time on November 6, and tried unsuccessfully to regain it throughout the remainder of the year.

In 2003, Styles began focusing on the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. After defeating David Flair on January 15 to become the number one contender, Styles recruited the help of Larry Zbyszko and joined Vince Russo's Sports Entertainment Xtreme faction. Styles faced NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett on February 19, but was defeated. In the course of the match, Styles turned face, attacking S.E.X. as they tried to interfere on his behalf because he did not want to win in that manner.

Styles feuded briefly with Raven and Glenn Gilberti before forming a new tag team with D'Lo Brown in April 2003. During their time together, Styles learned the frog splash (Art Barr version) from D'Lo, and D'Lo likewise picked up A.J.'s suicide plancha. The tag team amiably disbanded on May 28 so that both men could pursue the NWA World Heavyweight Championship once again. They fought one another on June 4 in a number one contendership match which was won by Styles, and on June 11 Styles faced Jarrett and Raven in a three-way match for the Heavyweight Championship. Styles won the match and the title (becoming the first TNA Triple Crown winner in the process) after Vince Russo entered the ring and struck Jarrett with a guitar, then celebrated with Russo following his victory, thus turning heel once again. On June 18, 2003, at the first TNA anniversary show, Jarrett and Sting defeated Styles and his mystery partner, Syxx-Pac.

Throughout July 2003, Styles successfully defended his title in matches with D'Lo Brown. Throughout the remainder of his reign, he defeated a myriad selection of opponents before losing the title to Jarrett on October 22. Following his loss, Styles reverted to being a face, while Jarrett became a heel. Despite Jarrett's demand that Styles return to the X Division, Styles continued to pursue the World Heavyweight Championship. On November 12, he teamed with Sting to defeat Jarrett and Lex Luger. Styles faced Jarrett for the Heavyweight Championship on December 3, but lost following interference from Kid Kash.

technorati tags: tna,wrestling, wwe, pro wrestling, pro wrestling blog, impact, pro-wrestling, news, samoa joe, ecw, ppv

No comments:

Popular Posts