when did aj styles join wwe

AJ Styles officially joined WWE and made his main roster debut on January 24, 2016, at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event.

How He Joined WWE

• Styles first appeared in WWE (as WWF) back in 2002, wrestling on a dark match, but he turned down a developmental contract at the time.

• After years as a top star in TNA/Impact and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), he agreed to terms with WWE in January 2016.

• WWE officially confirmed he signed a multi-year contract that same month, rebranding him for their main roster.

Main Debut Date & Event

• AJ Styles made his WWE televised debut on January 24, 2016 , during the Royal Rumble match at the Royal Rumble PPV.

• He entered the Royal Rumble match at number 3, eliminating Curtis Axel and Tyler Breeze before being eliminated by Kevin Owens.

• His surprise entrance (with the famous “I am Phenomenal” theme) was a huge moment for fans who had followed his career in other promotions.

What Happened After His Debut

• After the Royal Rumble, he began working regularly on WWE TV, quickly rising into the main event.

• Just a few months later, he won his first WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a classic match against John Cena at Backlash in September 2016.

So, AJ Styles joined WWE in January 2016, with his official main roster debut date being January 24, 2016 at the Royal Rumble.