John Cena vs. AJ Styles: Examining Parallels, Differences in Wrestling Careers

AJ Styles' attack on John Cena during the Memorial Day episode of Raw not only brought the closer to a high-profile match, it also brought into focus the parallels and differences that exist in their wrestling careers.

One would not readily make a connection between Styles and Cena. On the surface, they are completely different, two Superstars of different molds. They made names for themselves in two different ways, championed two opposite companies and have fanbases made of polar opposite demographics.

Delving into their legendary careers, though, it becomes apparent that they have more similarities than one could possibly imagine.

As they prepare to wage war, presumably at the upcoming Money in the Bank pay-per-view on June 19, enjoy this look at what makes Cena and Styles so very different but, at the same time, wildly similar.

Differences

One must look no further than their starts in the industry to gain a better understanding of the differences between Cena and Styles.

The former entered the industry in 1999, his chiseled physique from his bodybuilding days a major selling point for trainer Rick Bassman and his Ultimate Pro Wrestling promotion.

Styles, contrarily, was smaller, but possessed tremendous passion for the sport. He built his career on the independent scene before working for World Championship Wrestling in its dying days.

He was a dynamic performer with a knack for soaring through the air.

Cena, named The Prototype, was a more generic big man with robot-like tendencies.

Styles built his career working independent promotions and building TNA Wrestling from the ground up. There were nights he would compete in front of 2,000 rabid fans for the Dixie Carter-owned promotion, then travel to the suburbs of Atlanta and compete in front of 75 fans in a VFW.

Cena received a WWE developmental deal less than two years into his career, worked in Ohio Valley Wrestling under Kenny Bolin and Jim Cornette, and was competing on SmackDown by 2002. Within a year, he was one of the hottest young stars in the industry, taking to the WrestleMania XIX stage in front of 54,097 fans to deliver a rap on Jay Z.

Styles' steady progression and varied in-ring style netted him the respect of the internet and diehard fan base, the majority of whom appreciated his obvious dedication to his craft. With every passing match, he evolved, meshing different styles learned from every corner of the industry to craft one of the most diverse armaments in the industry. 

Cena made his star with one distinct style, a power-based offense with a molten-hot babyface comeback. He rode the same style to many WWE Championships and status as the top star in the industry. Whereas Styles was respected by fans, Cena entered arenas to thunderous, albeit incredibly mixed, reactions. He quickly developed into the most polarizing star in the industry.

While in-ring methodology, career beginnings and fan reaction may vary significantly, there are elements of the Superstars' careers that do not.

Similarities

Both Cena and Styles understand the pressure that comes along with being the franchise stars of a promotion.

Cena assumed the role in WWE in 2005 when he defeated John Bradshaw Layfield for the company's top championship at WrestleMania 21. From there, he soon became the lead hero on Monday Night Raw and the face of Vince McMahon's traveling circus.

Styles was the first star not named Jeff Jarrett to be featured prominently on TNA Wrestling. The founder of the X-Division, he was the first real unknown to develop into a huge star for the promotion. He won world championships, battled greats like Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels and helped attract viewers to the promotion.

Both were relied heavily upon by their respective promotions to carry it on their backs.

They were the faces of the company, the men whose matches helped define eras. Their work was absolutely essential to the continued success of both WWE and TNA.

Both were faced with the unenviable task of starring for promotions just after the great bubble of the wrestling boom of the late 1990s had popped. Rising to popularity right around 2002, and realizing their potential three years later, their prominence came at a time where liking professional wrestling was no longer the cool thing to do.

Yet, they soldiered on, developing reputations for themselves as the best big-match performers in the industry.

Styles did it in any company he performed for, be it TNA, Ring of Honor or New Japan Pro Wrestling. Cena was the one consistent for WWE at a time when the company was regularly looking for the next big thing to spark interest in the industry.

Whether The Phenomenal One was battling Shinsuke Nakamura in Tokyo or Cena was waging war with Edge in Baltimore, their work cemented their status as two of the best the industry had to offer, regardless of fan opinion or their difference in skill sets.

Looking Forward

The May 30 episode of Raw was a celebration of the two performers. As they stood in the center of the ring, fans of various ages took turns chanting their names, a sign of respect for the performers themselves and all that they have accomplished over the course of their careers.

Sure, there were those feverishly cheering Styles, whom they believed was the superior worker, then there were the parents and children praising Cena for his status as their hero and role model. Regardless of what side fans fell on, the unrivaled reaction for those two Superstars proved that their hard work, tireless devotion and dedication to carrying promotions on their back cemented their legacies as two of the best of their generation.

Now, the celebrated icons of the last 15 years will wage war in a rivalry guaranteed to create memories and matches that have fans buzzing for years to come. Cena has proved he has an ability to mesh extremely well with competitors from the independent scene, combining his power-based move set with their skills to pull off a dramatic contest.

AJ has repeatedly proven his greatness against competitors of varying styles.

The potential is there for one of the finest feuds WWE fans have witnessed since the Cena-Punk program from 2011. Ironically enough, Punk, too, was a wrestler who cut his teeth in independent promotions before coming to WWE and stealing shows while working with McMahon's golden boy.

The only question now is if WWE Creative can support the in-ring content with a storyline befitting the performers involved.