8 AJ Styles WWE Dream Matches We Didn't Get

One of the greatest wrestlers of the 21st century, and can be argued of all time. The Phenomenal AJ Styles retired from the WWE this past weekend after losing to Gunther at the Royal Rumble. Now whispers in the wind predict that he is only retiring from the WWE, and will show up in places like TNA and the indies to finish out his retirement tour.

While I can see that as a possibility, I'm not sure Styles is willing to mess up his goodwill with fans seemingly unretiring to just retire a few months later. I was working on a blog about AJ Styles WWE dream matches left that I wanted to see, and didn't get to finish it in time. So I decided to rework it into dream matches we won't get to see.

Joe Hendry

The viral sensation vs The Phenomenal one. While Hendry's theme song and personality is what gained him popularity. Make no mistake about it, he is no slouch in the ring. Hendry's dramatics during a match against AJ would be hilarious. And a rub from Styles, potentially beating him even would help Hendry rise up the card.

 Tyler Bate

Tyler Bate at one time was a wunderkind in NXT circles. A highly technical marvel at a young age, Bate was presumed by many to be a future main event staple. A match between him and AJ would have been a show stealer. His technical British Strong Style vs AJ's still high flying just a little safer style would have been one for the ages.

Oba Femi

Oba Femi recently moved up to the main roster from NXT. He is widely regarded as a pillar of the future of WWE, and his style would be a perfect contrast to AJ's. Power vs agility which when done right can be a nail biter. Hell a matchup could remind folks of Samoa Joe vs AJ back in the TNA days.

Axiom

If you're a fan of the fast paced, breakneck style of lucha and high flyers. A AJ Styles vs Axiom match would be a wet dream. Axiom shows traces of AJ's risk taking style 20 years, and I'm sure he is heavily influenced by Styles. This would have been a perfect influencer vs influenced match.

Charlie Dempsey 

The son of a technical maven William Regal, in Charlie Dempsey vs AJ Styles. Here's another one where the younger competitor in Dempsey, would benefit from going toe to toe with one Mr. AJ Styles. With that bare knuckling/mat focused style going up against the gravity defying style of AJ. Air it on NXT on people would have been begging for Dempsey to be on the main roster.

Ricky Saints

While Saints can go in the ring, the money in this matchup would be him on the mic. While Styles is serviceable on the mic, he would have to step his promo game up against Saints. And that would likely lead to heated words that turn into a heated matchup. With Saints have an adjustable style depending on his opponent, I'm sure both would have people on the edge of their seats.

Iija Dragunov

If you thought AJ Styles vs Gunther was hard hitting and brutal. Styles vs Dragunov would be downright a massacre. Dragunov chops even harder than Gunther, he just doesn't have the size so he makes up for it in being ferocious. His mat work against Styles would leave both men, bruised and bloodied. And fans seeing a match for the ages.

Jacob Fatu

I had to triple check this one as I thought the two crossed paths. They teamed together once in a Smackdown dark match, but that was it. The Samoan werewolf vs The Phenomenal one would blow the roof off any arena. Since Fatu is a bigger guy but very agile, I could see him and Styles trying to outdo one another with top rope moves. Oh man, this one I'm very sad we didn't get to see.