#5.) Declined a WWE contract in 2002
AJ Styles had made a few appearances for WCW and even wrestled a couple of dark matches for WWE in 2002. He was even offered a developmental contract that would require him to shift to Cincinnati to join Heartland Wrestling Association.
However, this clashed with his wife’s college plans, so he decided to make the big sacrifice and decline the contract. He would join the then-newly-formed TNA later that year and be known as “Mr TNA” for many years to come. Turns out it all paid off at the end, with him finally joining WWE in 2016. It probably turned out for the best, since he only signed with WWE after becoming the seasoned performer that he is today.
