Lexis King has made it clear that Avery Styles would have a place in BirthRight if the young prospect ever arrives in WWE NXT.
King addressed the possibility after BirthRight’s victory in the main event of the September 22 edition of WWE NXT on The CW. King joined forces with Uriah Connors and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo to defeat Sean Legacy, E.K. Prosper and Zilla Fatu, giving the faction another significant result as it continues to establish itself in NXT.
Following that match, King discussed Avery Styles potentially becoming part of the group during an appearance on Busted Open After Dark. Avery, the son of AJ Styles, is presently signed with TNA Wrestling and has not yet made his in-ring debut for the promotion. He has appeared on-screen alongside Frankie Kazarian, but King believes a future move to NXT could offer Avery a particularly valuable opportunity to form a separate identity.
“Of course” Avery would be accepted, King said when asked whether BirthRight would welcome him. King called Avery “phenomenal, no pun intended,” while stressing that he has been impressed by the work he has seen from the second-generation wrestler.
For more background on this topic, read Simone Johnson Names Ethan Page as Her Favorite WWE NXT Talent to Work With.
King’s praise extended beyond Avery’s potential in the ring. He described him as talented, well-spoken and respectful, tying those traits to the example set by AJ Styles over the course of his career. The NXT star also directly pushed back on talk questioning whether Avery had properly conducted himself while visiting backstage.
“That kid shaked every hand in NXT,” King said. “I don’t know all these rumors about him not setting up the chairs. I think that’s all bullcrap.”
The remarks give BirthRight an intriguing potential direction, even if there is no indication that Avery is imminently bound for WWE. King did not announce a deal, a debut date or an official recruitment angle. Instead, he framed the invitation as an open door, rooted in both respect for Avery’s ability and an understanding of the unusual pressure that comes with entering wrestling under a celebrated family name.
King reflects on his own second-generation experience
King’s perspective carries added weight because he spoke candidly about his own early experiences on the independent scene. The son of Brian Pillman, King acknowledged that he did not always carry himself in the most productive way while trying to establish a career in wrestling.
He said he had a chip on his shoulder at the time and believed others owed him something, admitting that he came across as entitled. King went as far as to call himself a “bad indie, second-gen guy,” while recognizing that people may have afforded him some understanding due to the death of his father.
That self-assessment informed King’s comments about Avery. Rather than portraying AJ Styles’ son as someone asking for special treatment, King described a wrestler who has impressed him through his conduct and preparation. He also noted the different circumstances surrounding their paths. Avery has the opportunity to learn directly from AJ, one of the most accomplished performers of his generation, while simultaneously facing the inevitable comparisons that follow anyone carrying the Styles surname.
King said AJ’s discipline and the effort required to reach his level have likely had a major influence on Avery. AJ Styles has remained a major figure in professional wrestling for decades, building a legacy across multiple promotions before becoming one of WWE’s most respected in-ring talents. For Avery, that family connection brings access to experience few newcomers could match. It also creates a towering standard against which his work will be measured.
The challenge of escaping a famous surname
King specifically addressed the difficulty of following a legendary parent into the same profession. Referencing Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power, he cited the idea of being wary of following in the footsteps of a great man. King’s point was not that Avery lacks talent. In fact, his comments repeatedly emphasized the opposite. His argument was that Avery will need room to become a distinct performer rather than a younger replica of AJ Styles.
“The best wrestler to ever have the last name Styles is gonna be A.J. Styles,” King said, acknowledging the standard that Avery will have to navigate throughout his development.
For King, joining BirthRight could help reduce that burden. He pointed to his own faction as an example of performers with wrestling lineage moving forward under identities different from the names associated with their families. BirthRight includes King, Connors and Lorenzo, and King argued that their current presentation allows them to operate outside the direct shadows of their relatives.
There have been fans who would prefer certain members of the group to use names more closely associated with their backgrounds. King, however, sees value in the separation. He believes the group’s individual names and collective branding give its members the freedom to define themselves on their own terms.
That is the central reason King sees a potential fit for Avery. Rather than arriving in NXT solely as AJ Styles’ son, Avery could enter an established unit and gradually create his own persona, offense and finishing move. King said Avery could “carve his own identity” within that environment.
What BirthRight could offer Avery Styles
Avery’s current TNA status remains important. He is signed to TNA Wrestling, has yet to have his first match for the company, and is presently linked with Frankie Kazarian in storyline. There has been no announced change to that arrangement, and King’s comments should not be taken as confirmation of any WWE move.
Still, the fact that King was willing to publicly endorse Avery provides an interesting talking point for both BirthRight and NXT. Factions often serve as a useful launch point for wrestlers who are still developing their presentation, particularly when the group has a clear theme and a collection of personalities who can help shape an ongoing story. BirthRight’s connection to inherited wrestling expectations makes Avery an especially natural theoretical addition.
King also emphasized that the ability is already there. He said he has watched only a limited number of Avery’s matches, but that the prospect has stood out every time. That is substantial praise from a wrestler who openly understands the complications of entering the business with a prominent family legacy.
The potential appeal is obvious from a character standpoint as well. AJ Styles’ legacy is one built on elite athleticism, adaptability and a career that has crossed major wrestling stages. Avery’s long-term challenge will be to show which elements of that heritage he wants to retain and which ones he wants to alter. A faction such as BirthRight could turn that process into a visible part of a story rather than something that simply hangs over him from the outside.
King’s message was ultimately supportive, not presumptive. He praised Avery’s professionalism, rejected criticism he felt was unfair, and offered a blueprint for how the younger Styles could avoid being defined exclusively by comparisons to his father.
BirthRight already left the September 22 episode of NXT with momentum after its main-event triumph over Legacy, Prosper and Fatu. Whether Avery Styles ever becomes part of that momentum remains unresolved, particularly given his existing TNA ties. But King has made his position unmistakable: should Avery arrive in NXT, the faction’s door is open.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.