Good afternoon. I opened this topic to compare Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles about in ring ability.

 

We talked about them in the last topics, but now I'd like to talk about specific aspects, like selling, storytelling and in ring psychologhy.

 

First of all what is the real meaning of in ring psychologhy and storytelling? What are the criteria of judgment?

Who is better in these specific aspects, trying to be more objective as possible, not only judging as fans but as impartial critics? Why?

 

What do you think about Danielson's selling, in particular I'm talking about his selling during his indy run, because it's obvious that, for example, WWE imposed him to not sell inuries at Wrestlemania XXX, like also Batista said during an interview, so in that case it's not Danielson's fault.

Do you think that the selling is one of his few deficiences inside the ring?

 

 

 

Thank you very much

 

 

 

This is my opinion about the argument.

 

I think that a right comparison can be done after watching Bryan vs Morishima from Manatthan Mayhem and Styles vs Suzuki from 2014 Climax. I think that Styles sold better his injuries during and after the match. Bryan appears to not selling in some moments. I'm not talking specifically about this match, but also about his match against Nigel from Unified, for example. He didn't sold his fatigue after a long match and he got up immediately after the finish, while Styles was down for almost a minute before getting up.

However I think that Bryan is slightly a better storytelling and slightly better at in ring psychologhy.

Right now, AJ might be the better wrestler (and is obviously awesome) but I have been really loving Bryan's matches and his more mat-based style since returning from his retirement. It is such a breath of fresh air. I also like the fact that WWE is not using him in the tired role of the ultimate underdog who gets beaten up but wins against all odds, instead portraying him as a highly dangerous grappler who can break the limbs of other wrestlers if he wants to, including certified badasses like Samoa Joe.

AJ Styles is good but I don't think there's anywhere close to being an argument here.

 

Bryan has him on week-in-week-out performance and the more impressive list of carry-jobs. Moreover, Bryan has far more high peaks than AJ does - not to mention AJ's best match (vs Suzuki) was good because of the performance Suzuki gave. I do think Bryan is more formulaic and he rather adapts opponents to his style than adapts his style to his opponents but Ric Flair ended up being GWE #1 and he's more egregious in that regard.

Right now, AJ might be the better wrestler (and is obviously awesome) but I have been really loving Bryan's matches and his more mat-based style since returning from his retirement. It is such a breath of fresh air. I also like the fact that WWE is not using him in the tired role of the ultimate underdog who gets beaten up but wins against all odds, instead portraying him as a highly dangerous grappler who can break the limbs of other wrestlers if he wants to, including certified badasses like Samoa Joe.

This year I think that is one of the weakest of Styles' career. He has not any MOTY, and for sure received more opportunities than Daniel Bryan.

His matches against Nakamura were disappointing. Also his tv show matches were not better than Daniel Bryan's. For example they both wrestled Rusev, but Bryan's match was better.

AJ Styles is good but I don't think there's anywhere close to being an argument here.

 

Bryan has him on week-in-week-out performance and the more impressive list of carry-jobs. Moreover, Bryan has far more high peaks than AJ does - not to mention AJ's best match (vs Suzuki) was good because of the performance Suzuki gave. I do think Bryan is more formulaic and he rather adapts opponents to his style than adapts his style to his opponents but Ric Flair ended up being GWE #1 and he's more egregious in that regard.

What do you think about their selling?

 

For example I think that Styles' selling in his best matches was better than Bryan's selling in his best matches.

I think Bryan's better than AJ right now. I don't remember a particularly good performance from Styles since the Brock match, meanwhile Bryan's already had the best matches Jeff Hardy, Shelton Benjamin and Big Cass have had in years (for Cass best singles match ever, he's terrible), and he's done all that wrestling a new style that WWE fans aren't used to yet it's got really over.

Bryan bests AJ in nearly every regard for me, based on their careers from 2002 onward, but they're six in one and a half dozen in the other. When I want layered technical-flavored wrestling I go with Bryan, when I want a loud and entertaining display of smart athleticism then I go with AJ.

Bryan bests AJ in nearly every regard for me, based on their careers from 2002 onward, but they're six in one and a half dozen in the other. When I want layered technical-flavored wrestling I go with Bryan, when I want a loud and entertaining display of smart athleticism then I go with AJ.

In your opinion, what would be an example of Bryan better than Styles at selling? For example a specific match.

It's more a general approach to me than specifics. AJ sells for the cheap seats more than Bryan does and, in terms of how I'm viewing it (TV), I think Bryan does the better job at balancing subtlety with overtness.

I think Bryan is the better seller and storyteller, but it's very close. I think A.J. is the better bumper. And they're both equally good at working to their opponents' strengths and getting the best out of them.