AJ STYLES THE LONE WOLF - WAS IT ANY GOOD?

Today it's the third video in my new series Was it any good. Where we take a look back at all aspects of a wrestlers time in the company with the intent to find out was it any good? Today it’s the Aj Styles No One character. This ran in 2013 just before he left TNA for good. This was a drastic change in his character so was it any good?
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[@Markyd123]

Sorry this was supposed to come out yesterday. I literally forgot to release it even though it was ready. So hit me with a brick!

[@theOneOnlyTed]

Nah, was fair enough. I'll just slap you with a wet fish. AJ Styles career mode was prove to be the best in the worst situations, fly around the world and draw money, then get a fat contract and some respect from WWE. Like you said, the no one gimmick was wasted with no mic time and few matches. Carp or trout?

[@deathsnitemaresinfullust2269]

After watching the video that new moveset of AJ's literally looks like the prototype set for his entire WWE career 😅👍

[@unholyperiodza5442]

I wanna see Magnus' title reign, not worse than Jeff Hardy but at least its better than Jinder Mahal.

[@Markyd123]

@@unholyperiodza5442 hoping to work with magnus soon for something so best stay on his good side 😂

[@GusJenkinsElite]

If you don't use Evil Ways in the rest of the your videos I'll hit you with a brick

[@TheMC1102]

On the flip side, this led to AJ's NJPW run which completely rejuvenated his career.

[@Vikdeb25502]

That was an all time great run. So many classics. His early wwe run was absolutely brilliant though.

[@artirony410]

yeah I'm sure he was glad to go over there after this lol

[@brianban110]

those matches where awesome

[@Mr_Heydrich]

I 100% agree That was my favorite version of AJ

[@earzy9729]

How did it rejuvenate his career? I thought he retired after he left TNA.

[@NickNapoli]

I did like how AJ came out to “Evil Ways” really fit his character.

[@MohitPJoshi]

Evil ways theme was dope

[@ryanarmitage872]

@@MohitPJoshi especially when he came out to help the main event mafia

[@chrismcdonald6079]

It was unlike anything I’d ever heard, I loved it

[@MohitPJoshi]

@@ryanarmitage872 yeah

[@hardrockfreak1337]

I loved this storyline. Anti-hero storylines weren't as common in wrestling at the time, and it was refreshing for the time.

[@DOFIXERR]

Same here. I watched pretty much nothing but WWE at the time and this was probably the only TNA storyline that got me viewing them.

[@GanzoHasashi1911]

Yeah, I feel like the art of the tweener has been lost to time. I just adored the idea of AJ letting TNA go in flames from the Aces & Eights while still not aligning with them as a way of paying back for that match stipulation. Plus that theme just gave him such a great dark presentation that said it wasn’t the old AJ, but the new disgruntled and fallen from grace Styles. Should’ve kept the tweener run going with some promos and maybe some harder hitting moves like he would have later in NJPW, but I liked the No One gimmick for all it was

[@darkwolf1202]

a Crow Sting type storyline ,abandoned and betrayed, turned into a vigilante.

[@connorledwith98]

@@GanzoHasashi1911 evil ways is one of the best themes in history imo

[@SANDMAN_7]

It litterally was just the sting vs nwo story line in wcw

[@rashawn2323]

The lone wolf character was the final ingredient he needed to become a complete wrestler. He was already a great wrestler, but he kinda lacked charisma, & promo skills. This character gave him a opportunity to work on that. This was was a working progress, that’s why it wasn’t that well received in TNA. But having him be a certain way for years played in that too, kinda jarring for fans

[@Carlitonsp1]

After this he went NJPW, which after seeing you break apart this run, feels like a middle ground between his run here and his normal run. - He got bigger so he would be 220 Pounds. - As a foreigner, he was heel by default and aligning himself with Bullet Club after it just lost it's leader gave him a natural spot. (Prince Devitt lost a career vs career match) - He actually brought back a lot of his funnier elements as he would openly talk shit about his opponents before, during, and after their match. - He accidentally broke a Yoshi Tatsu's neck on a Styles Clash which gave him a rougher edge and a protected finisher. - He would wrestle a mostly grounded style, but saved the high flying for targeted moves and quick reversals.

[@RC99_Productions]

I also like the fact that after the botched Styles Clash incident, he adopted a new finisher as a backup because the Style Clash was about to be hit, NJPW fans knew that something terrible might happen. AJ adopted the Hollow Point, which is basically a Ganso Bomb AKA Reverse Tombstone Piledriver, which admittedly is more dangerous than the Clash because they've falling right on the top of their head. Both moves are risky to pull off.

[@fuccyofeelings8718]

Fun fact: Yoshi Tatsu broke his own neck. He tucked his own head in instead of extending it outward so the people who get injured off the styles clash its their own fault and not on AJ's part

[@WalkBesideMe]

It's utterly baffling how TNA did the Summer of Punk with Styles better than WWE did with Punk

[@LND209]

Summer of Styles

[@jamesweikel2594]

It's because wwe is all about rushing storylines. They have no long term booking.

[@reddeath5791]

@@jamesweikel2594You say that, but right now WWE has dragged out their biggest storyline to the point that most fans lost interest by Summerslam 2023

[@Venemofthe888]

This lone wolf gimmick was like TNA's version of when Sting become the Crow but not as long or effective however i do like the gimmick change and it freshened him up a little bit and there was so much intrigue to it and i do wish it could have lasted a little longer. I do think it could have been interesting in the aces and 8s but honestly he didnt need them at all

[@benbell2959]

Ya beat me to the comment lol

[@MohitPJoshi]

That evil way gimmick could have done better if it called out everyone's shit before and after beating the crap out of them. I don't know why he just stood there alongside ring not saying anything- was he trying to appeal 13 years old?

[@TeamKP1]

This led to his ROH-NJPW-ROYAL RUMBLE debut one of the best runs of all time

[@micksawyer1112]

100 percent! I'm glad I wasn't the only one that noticed.

[@IRoastU]

With a CM Punk Summer of Punk pay off

[@self-parternerd8661]

- I love the No One AJ for 2 reasons (besides being a HUGE AJ mark): 1) I knew from day 1 that it wouldn't stick because it wasn't the right time to turn him heel, since the A&8s were the top heel act and the company didn't need a monster heel like AJ, especially when they didn't turn him outright but sorta left it to the people that were never going to boo him BUT I was absolutely blown away by his work in the ring. He overhauled his moves, becoming a striker, in a way that I had never seen before or since (I think he is the only one capable of something like that) and I did not know it was possible to do something like this. 2) I consider this phase a trial of heel AJ, I am convinced that this act set into motion the event that would lead to him becoming the greatest leader of the Bullet Club! (Great faction, Great matches, Great time for wrestling).

[@FaizalKuntz]

What i like about AJ's gimmick at the time is when he goes to New Japan and join the Bullet Club... in Impact it was alright imo

[@Slick5150]

The AJ styles Lone Wolf gimmick is basically WCW Crow Sting meets Summer Of Punk 2011

[@DOFIXERR]

This was my first actual introduction to AJ Styles. Knew nothing about him, but thought he had a cool name and an interesting lone wolf gimmick. I would have never thought that a few years later he would become one of my all-time favorite wrestlers.

[@chimeratcg07]

The beginning of AJ Style's hair growth and beard.

[@johnpannebaker5757]

Not enough guys change their move set when they change characters. That, to me, is an essential thing to make shift a crowd can buy into, especially if a high flying babyface turns heel. Strangely, the AJ/Dixie portion reminds me of MJF/Khan.

[@ajnboilerup]

I believe that A.J. Styles winning the TNA Title at 2013 Bound For Glory was the last great TNA/Impact Wrestling moment.

[@kayhan_qfpn]

I was there. Braved my broken leg to make sure I was at that show.

[@tonware]

Which is fair to say because beside Kenny Omega becoming TNA Champion I can’t recall one moment from that brand 2013-present.

[@DirtiestSoul]

Mmm, I personally believe that the last great moment of tna was bully ray powerbombing Dixie through a table

[@lucafalsetto]

Tag teams for ROH Los Guerreros Booker T & Goldust Slapnuts and Owen Hart

[@beerguy177]

regal and taijiri maybe?

[@sethantoniorodriguez9190]

As a kid I fucking LOVED this gimmick. It was different, and AJ was in my top 3 wrestlers at the time and still is. I loved the way he completely changed and it was a true tweener gimmick, not a BS 2 month gimmick and then it just goes away. When he came back fully against the aces and eights with his old theme song.. bro the chills I got when I watched that man!!! I know the gimmick went on for a little too long but I loved it and it was awesome. I still love it to this day

[@davidepannone6021]

As many other things in TNA: good ideas/intentions but horrible executions. I actually never found out until years later how this storyline went about because i had quit due to the aces and eights storyline that was running in parallel.

[@trueSconox]

in the beginnings aces and eights where the best thing since years, but Eric never figured out a way to end a faction with at least some grace.

[@jaceboland1931]

i liked evil ways aj styles, he had the aura of being a sting-like character in terms of just being on the sides and just watching the feud with the ace and eights vs tna, but the problems were we didn't learn anything they didn't even give us pieces or a trail to follow its just "evil aj" in terms of his wrestling if he found his new japan style sooner and used that here it would have been perfect a more grounded, ruthless and brutal style throwing away the dives and springboards now using the calf killer more then the styles clash. in the end the evil ways/no one aj styles could have been good/great but tna stumbled around with it.

[@bandu2512]

You bring attention of fans towards the lesser known talents or the talents that need help be it financial, professional, motivational support or creating awareness about their current status. This helps them overcome the odds and brings hope. Thank you very much.

[@uncledrosselmeyer6480]

What?

[@howardsimcox5596]

Yeah, like AJ Styles. I bet he desperate for the exposure!

[@ShubhamMishrabro]

Evil ways was such a great theme. Aj had so many great themes- get ready to fly (different versions too ), evil ways, demi god from roh, bullet club,njpw theme and then wwe phenomenal

[@trueSconox]

the wwe theme is total and utter bullshit.

[@d2msta38]

THEY DONT WANT NUN

[@batistafury6668]

@@trueSconox that's a lie phenomenal is great, it suits him perfectly with a DMX feel, maybe because it's WWE that's probably why you don't like it

[@trueSconox]

@@batistafury6668 for sure, because it's wwe. the how stupid can get belt belongs to you. I guess you liked every single wwe intro they did, judging from that nonsense. gosh, how stupid can it get?

[@youtubeuserxix]

​​​@@batistafury6668 Much inferior to his other themes including those of the Indies. And yeah WWE did make a lot of crap entrance music ever since Jim Johnston left. But being a fanboy, you're obviously too biased to see through that.

[@lookingforlove839]

"Cabdriver slam" does sound intimidating

[@TophDaGreat]

When you think about it the Aces and Eights and AJ's Trust No one character was really just a trail run for Bullet Club and the eventual US expansion of it that started the indy boom of the mid 2010s.

[@kryptsoveternity2709]

The way Sting and AJ Styles got sent away at their final appearances on TNA was absolutely pathetic. Way to send off the two guys who put your company on the map, Dixie!

[@Disxreet]

He’s going back to this in WWE 🔥🔥 That clothesline to the Megastar was vicious.

[@reloadpsi]

"Why is calling the police a threat?" It's the States, so they'll use unnecessary force and AJ won't get in trouble for doing it himself.

[@larrytod9790]

That segment where rockstar spud sneak into AJ style house actually Scared me I thought AJ was going to shoot him with a shotgun I was worried about him

[@889654]

"While Mike Tenay almost reaches the point of climax." But did it top his reaction to Russo first appearance in TNA?

[@wpjohnston0213]

Ive been waiting for this FOREVER! Thank you for the upload!

[@BlameMaxSand]

First they wanted him to be Sting during the NWO story, then he was a knock off CM Punk, Summer of Punk story. No wonder he left TNA and hasn't looked back.

[@Jay-br3mo]

The cab driver slam! The cab driver slam!

[@justinmicahhenry1824]

People saying they don’t like the list vids are completely tripping, more hawk content I’ll take keep ‘em coming👍🏿

[@luvens9892]

This storyline was overall good to be honest, especially when u watched most of his career n tune in weekly to see it

[@seantaft3853]

The best thing TNA could have done with the Styles/Magnus match was to have *ZERO* interference and let Magnus go over clean. It's not like Styles couldn't get a good match out of Magnus and no interference (especially if Dixie kept calling for it without it happening) would make Magnus look like he belonged there. At least TNA messing up gave us Styles in Bullet Club, so there's that.

[@unholyperiodza5442]

While Magnus became the Jinder Mahal of WWE, also got rid of Sting making Bobby Roode the Great Khali, James Storm screwing Gunner was satisfying, and Eric Young being the one to dethrone Magnus just for Lashley to win, least Impact gave us Lashley's biggest push ever.

[@William_Rivera_X]

Always loved AJ with his high flying moves in TNA . Keep up the great work on these videos 👍

[@HomelanderHL2]

The Lone Wolf is that gimmick for a Comeback for AJ Styles and have the potential to make TNA interesting again, he could've been the Face of the Company for their future but that didn't go well.

[@user-fe8gx3ie5v]

I like the list videos a lot. Yours are entertaining.

[@DJVm4GOD1]

Tbh. I always thought that his lone wolf gimmick ended too quickly. As I really enjoyed it, but I do agree with the crowd reaction and such, maybe that was why to end it early. Though, I do wonder if Aces & Eight weren't going on at the time, if it would've continued and had more depth to it then it did. Being that the company's top babayface being like this? Is enough to be the top storyline.

[@williamalvarez5212]

Loved the lone wolf gimmick this was my favorite period of impact after hogan showed up the lone wolf and the aces & eights years the hogan era of impact started out terrible with the group Immortal but got better after

[@Chuck_EL]

I loved the tweener lone wolf Aj , he was a legit tweener , pro wrestling usually books tweeners as anti hero babyfaces and doesn't go all the way with it, I think 1998 Kane was the closest we got to an actual tweener before lone wolf Aj

[@lesweenmachine]

This look was 10/10 to me, and it parlayed into bulletclub as well as njpw and roh perfectly. On a side note, I was there when hardy tapped out you can see me put my hands on my head and look away in utter contempt as everyone around me cheers hardy being beat 😂 I even was having chants directed at me as I was among the only ones saying let’s go hardy instead of let’s go styles, and the ONLY one that close to ringside. I was never more betrayed by smart marks in all my days 😂 I was a freshmen in HS and I had my face all painted up. The main event of the night left me in tragedy lmao. The first and only wrestling event I have ever been to.

[@iamjonvideos3384]

lol that’s dope

[@Jaymcq]

Just answering your question . Yes this look and gimmick was great. And to me super iconic as he used it during bullet club era too. Loved this angle just hated that they Let Him Go! Lol

[@PraiseThaDon]

It was his best character followed by his 2016 heel run

[@anicepop]

Markyd! Do and create what makes you happy! No matter what you make, I will support it. Lists, Ring of the Hawk, Was It Good?, whatever! You always give us extra content when we deserve a punch to the gut! Much respect.

[@kirb709]

It was decent, but GOD did they miss some easy opportunities. Just have him wrestle a hybrid of the grounded style and his usual style, but just have him play to the audience less. I think this could have been great with the right booking.

[@kidwaryodproduction]

8:31 A Wild Tiny Turnip Eating Appeared. Double A "Austin Aries"

[@WrestlePlanet]

This was 100% based on Sting's early crow storyline. I thought this was alright at the time. Dragged on a bit though.

[@heatwave1789]

Man I love his Evil Ways theme. The lone wolf gimmick was my favorite story line

[@EzraDair]

U kidding me? I loved emo Styles he was brutal and at his peak conditioning especially when he left and became the leader of the Bullet Club that era was unforgettable

[@SnakeEaterBaby]

This AJ leading into his ROH and NJPW runs is peak AJ for me (and many others). He'd always been great in the ring, but at this point he had great in-ring skills with decades of experience, ring psychology, etc. It's what pushed AJ into my Top 10 honestly, banger after banger.

[@ripvanwinkle91]

The Dixie Carter and AJ Styles promos reminded me of the WWE Summer of Punk in 2011

[@PhenomenalOne1000]

Cuz they ripped off of it

[@adammacisaac6685]

Congrats on 100k my dude !

[@AntLox]

I quit TNA after seeing it live,LockDown 2009, all your videos fill in that 2009 - 2022 gap rather nicely.

[@anonluxor470]

It's funny that AJ styles said he hates ex WWE guys but he goes on to sign with WWE in 2016

[@maxmercurythemm827]

There's a difference between hating the other side's has-beens that are coming here to cling to some semblance of a job and beg for relevance, and joining the company that rejected said has-beens.

[@steveomac385]

@@maxmercurythemm827 AJ was 40 by then. He was the has been at that point.

[@christophersmith210]

@@steveomac385 aj was the best thing in 2016, he had the loudest reaction at the rumble, had a good match at mania, made roman look legit, beat john cena, won the WWE championship and was really good in smackdown live. i wouldn't say he was a has been.

[@extremeking425]

Always thought when AJ's hoodie went ontop of his head was cool as hell when he clotheslined James Storm.

[@ricardonb6375]

Here are some candidates for the Was It Any Good? videos: Mr Kennedy in WWE The Brooklyn Brawler Konnan outside of Mexico Vampiro outside of Mexico The Juice

[@brookesfriend8359]

Congratulations 🎉 Next 250,000👍

[@zm9996]

This was probably my favorite TNA storyline growing up, AJ was easily the biggest homegrown star and the most captivating wrestler so I was all in for everything he did here. I really liked seeing him turn into a prick and just pound on guys and tap them out. I feel like the look worked because he looked unkempt, he looked like he didn’t give a shit and that’s part of the character.

[@Honk_Hogan]

“An obese AJ Styles fan boy” “He looks like a South Park character” “The soccer mom hair he has now” Just casually roasting everything lmfao good shit dude Edit: “It looks like AJ lives in a trap house” got it lmfaooooo

[@lengmanmode]

I like the list videos, especially the TNA ones! You don't recycle them over and over unlike certain big wrestling accounts...

[@jennygholson]

I love your video ❤️

[@darionblack4434]

love the videos bro! just a suggestion but it’s your channel so if not SHOVE IT! but i think u can get away with a little more audio sometimes if u wanted to.would just be nice to hear the things u talk about sometimes at least not whole video. we still wanna hear ya voice

[@MohitPJoshi]

Well you did cover something I always wanted you to cover without me even saying it out loud! Hawk's doing a mind reader gimmick it seems

[@Markyd123]

It’s not a gimmick

[@OoF-hi1hb]

Anither day, another great video by markyd

[@SSSD210]

I remember watching clips about this version of Aj and i instantly knew he was going to be one of my favorites. A few months later was the 2016 rumble

[@dallasarnold1803]

TNA/iMPACT really need a video game so bad.

[@retron99]

They already had one

[@dallasarnold1803]

@@retron99 and it sucks and they need another one so bad.

[@lexxtyson2559]

Now I'm excited to watch the Bound To Shove It Series

[@mikejackson1003]

Oh my god, can't believe you ripped Athena about the CDS 🤣🤣

[@wi4101]

At this point I've watched Markyd123 talk more about TNA than I've ever actually watched TNA.

[@bryant305P]

I still pop whenever I watch the video of when AJ walks out to his new music when Main Event Mafia and Aces and Eights are in the ring THEN you hear "Get ready to fly!" GOOSEBUMPS! Bad description but, you know the moment 😂

[@gedriley3523]

What's the timeframe between AJ going in to the crowd with the championship while he's not contracted and CM punk going in to the crowd with the WWE championship while he wasn't contracted?

[@jared.mohammed]

2011 for Punk and 2013 for Styles.

[@TeydoubleU]

This was the first I saw of AJ I started watching 2013

[@wolfsguitarden740]

I don't think he realized it but the song you put in the background at one point is blues sarcino. Or Nick Nolan I don't remember which one but I love both of them really good type of country and I say that as a metalhead. You probably just searched dark country and found that right.. and it is Nick Nolan. Great song it's actually the first one off of a dark country mix so I'm sure that's where you pulled it from.. another edit. Evil ways that's the name of that song it was fucking bothering me I know you can probably give a shit but.. I found it funny that you put that in this video. Like I said I'm really curious to know if you just typed in dark country and pick the first song off the playlist cuz I'm pretty sure that's what you did LOL much love man I love all your videos

[@mikesweeney7778]

I remember when AJ debuted this look, I thought he looked horrible. But after this, many like me would follow AJ to New Japan Pro Wrestling where wild/wacky/emo/anime hairstyles (Tanahashi, Okada, AJ, Naito, Kojima, Omega) were the norm. Now I think this look is so inoffensive and actually kind of cool.

[@mgunter]

This hair is why Danial Bryan grew the beard so you didn't focus on the hair until it was long.

[@sjrex2553]

Definitely, don't agree. It was a pretty good gimmick. Though, you made a great point about adding more promos to beef this up a bit, we still got a great theme song outta it and a hybrid ground flying Styles. This despite Team Dixie which sounds like a goddamn acid trip.

[@DbrownShinhan]

I would love to hear your take on Slapnuts being a special guest referee for Usos V. Street Profits lol

[@DavidS4209]

Aj new look in WWE kinda looks like he brought back the Lone Wolf attitude. Which im loving the new attitude from AJ in WWE now since he came back from injury

[@jonathonlilbourne9264]

I remember working at a restaurant as a dish washer and a friend of mine who I since lost touch with brought me to a few smash wrestling and tna events and back in March 2 or 3 years ago I don’t remember the name of the event but if I recall it was in Toronto and it was also gale kims last match that whole event was amazing from top to bottom

[@samuelcovarrubias729]

For ring of the hawk do Kurt angle’s second run in wwe

[@MrAwesomePoopz]

YES. AJ was NOT being paid enough, in fact, Dixie Carter knowing that AJ had that company loyalty in him, decided to give AJ TWO pay cuts "for the coompany".

[@wweminehead5458]

Heya Marky hope your doing well and having a great day.

[@UndergroundSkat2000]

I found it hilarious when Athena asked if The Cabdriver Slam was David Young's name for his spinebuster

[@rdu239]

Hi Hawk, i hope you review the Control Your Narrative, because its the "best wrestling show" right now, making a buzz in social media

[@D57]

I liked his no one gimmick and the theme

[@rileykazama3145]

Congrats on the millstone

[@chrismcdonald6079]

Nature putting AJs hood back on was the coolest thing ever

[@Wriqhton]

AJ was checked out at this point and looking back at it, it’s so obvious

[@ethanellis2896]

Lol that 10:18 outta nowhere 🤣

[@JohnnyV123]

Guess my girl is going to squawk. I liked it and it was the last time I was invested in anything in TNA. Yes it wasn't booked the best but it was great to see AJ become a main character again while doing something different

[@Brando-Lee3725]

Hahahaha ! damn Marky !!! Your gonna confuse the hell out of david young ! lol ! David - " Do what now ? What the fuck is a cab driver slam ??? " Funny shit man .

[@edwells4769]

Gotta love Brooke in the background of any Bully Ray promos. Half the reason theybware so good

[@Markyd123]

Yup I thought she was going to be a huge star

[@Mr.Majestic77]

TNA Wrestling writers tried re-create the Sting (crow character) in WCW into AJ Styles long wolf character.

[@tyklug2013]

The Cab Driver Slam, the Cab Driver Slam

[@carlaspinall7418]

Aj styles was like the sitng lone wolf back in wcw days

[@Blitzkrieg50]

You mentioned this being the Impact Zone but the gimmick debuted on the show where they went on the road for most of 2013. The only time AJ did this character in Universal was the show where he dropped the title to Magnus.

[@Markyd123]

Yea true my bad

[@strafe155]

Say what you will about this storyline, this was the last time that people gave a damn about TNA.

[@walterdbrown]

I think it was good besides the ending and the long stretch where not much happened. The heel music swerve into the classic theme moment is a classic.

[@afd19850]

“Cab driver slam” 🤣

[@rackroll4405]

Dixie could rock a brass pole like a champ at this time.

[@xkking2]

You should do Willow Next‼️