5 Superstars who appeared for rival promotions while still under contract with WWE

#3. Former WWE Champion AJ Styles - NWA Wildside 2017

NWA Wildside was one of the promotions where current WWE star AJ Styles kicked off his wrestling career. During his time there, he first adopted the ring name that's now known around the world.

The company officially closed down back in 2005, but Styles had some fond memories of his time in the company. When he found out that NWA Wildside was holding a reunion in 2017, "The Phenomenal One" wanted to be part of it.

Styles was contracted to WWE at the time. He made his official debut as part of the 2016 WWE Royal Rumble. He was even the WWE United States Champion at the time. WWE allowed Styles to attend the NWA Wildside event, where he didn't actually wrestle. Instead, he appeared with his WWE United States Championship.

Styles, now a former WWE Champion, cut a promo at the show. He thanked fans for supporting him over the years. Styles then signed autographs and posed with the WWE United States Championship for the fans in attendance.

About the author

Phillipa is a WWE writer for Sportskeeda. She is also a mother, wrestler, dancer, former actress and a Seth Rollins fan. She is a retired wrestler, dancer, and at one-time enjoyed boxing.

Phillipa has tried her hand at all aspects of the wrestling business in the past including booking, promoting, refereeing, commentating, ring announcing and wrestling.

Throughout her time in Sportskeeda she has become known for picking up botches and sharing them.

Phillipa's favorite wrestler is Seth Rollins, but will allow her head to be turned by any high-flying superstar.

She also once had a dream that Drake Maverick was her father, this is yet to be confirmed by the man himself. Outside of the world of spandex and screwjobs, Phillipa likes to watch football, supports Stoke City and is a huge fan of Judd Trump.

Feel free to follow her on Twitter @PhillipaMariee

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Edited by Colin Tessier