A Legendary Farewell: AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and the Final WWE Chapter
AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura's storied rivalry—from Tokyo Dome to WWE—culminates in Styles' career-ending clash with Gunther.
Allen Neal Jones, better known as **AJ Styles**, is an American professional wrestler born on June 2, 1977, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and billed from Gainesville, Georgia. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 220 pounds, he is renowned as "The Phenomenal One" for his signature moves like the Phenomenal Forearm, Styles Clash, and Calf Crusher.[2][6] Styles debuted in 1998 in independent promotions like NWA Wildside, gaining prominence in 2002 with Ring of Honor and NWA Total Nonstop Action (TNA, now Impact Wrestling). He became the cornerstone of TNA's X-Division as its inaugural champion (six-time winner), secured three NWA World Heavyweight Championships, two TNA World Heavyweight Championships, and multiple tag titles, earning distinction as the first TNA Grand Slam Champion.[1][2][3][4][5] As a free agent in 2014, Styles joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), aligning with Bullet Club and capturing the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice, becoming the first American holder since Brock Lesnar.[1][2][4] He debuted in WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble, quickly rising to main-event status. His WWE accolades include two WWE Championships (first at Backlash 2016), three United States Championships, one Intercontinental Championship, and one Raw Tag Team Championship, making him a WWE Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion with 31 total titles across promotions.[2][5][6] Named Pro Wrestling Illustrated's No. 1 wrestler in 2010 and 2016 Wrestler of the Year, Styles boasts a career record of 1,383 wins in 2,312 matches (59.8% win rate).[1][2] Currently signed to WWE's Raw brand at age 48, he remains a top draw with his aerial athleticism and technical prowess, continuing to compete at the highest level.[5][6]
AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura's storied rivalry—from Tokyo Dome to WWE—culminates in Styles' career-ending clash with Gunther.