AJ Styles has discussed creating his finishing manoeuvre, the Styles Clash. Styles has crafted one of the most distinctive move-sets in modern wrestling. The jewel in the crown of this has been the trademark Styles Clash.
Speaking to ITN Wrestling, Styles revealed that the move has been in his arsenal for longer than one might imagine:
“Well, my little brother was trying to powerbomb his buddy on the trampoline. He’s dangling upside down. They’re talking to each other. And I go, oh and I walked over there and my little brother took the first-ever styles splash on a trampoline”
The Styles Clash, as well as one of the most recognizable moves in wrestling, is a controversial one. Yoshi Tatsu suffered 2 broken bones in his neck after taking the Styles Clash in New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2014. Scottish wrestler, the late Lionheart, also suffered two broken bones in his neck after taking the move. In both instances, the injuries were due to the receiver tucking their chin and taking the weight of both men on their neck.
In 2016, when AJ Styles debuted in WWE, it was reported that the Styles Clash had been banned. While this can’t be confirmed, Styles did use his Calf Crusher submission finisher as well as The Phenomenal Forearm to finish most of his matches. Not long into his WWE career, Styles did begin using the Styles Clash and it remains a part of his matches to this day. Currently, Styles is appearing on Monday Night Raw where he is now flanked by Jordan Omogbehin as his bodyguard.
Credit ITN Wrestling for the interview.