Date: November 21, 1999
Location: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Show: WWF Sunday Night Heat
Pre-Show Atmosphere
It's a cold November evening in Toronto. Snow drifts lazily in the air, melting on the pavement outside the Air Canada Centre. Fans crowd the entrance doors, their breath steaming in the chilly night as they wave homemade signs:
"Y2J Rules"
"Austin 3:16"
"Suck It DX"
"Rock > HHH"
"Edge & Christian 4 Life"
Merch tables are buzzing. The Rock foam hands, Mankind "Have a Nice Day!" shirts, and Hardy Boyz armbands fly off the racks. The muffled thud of bass from the sound system leaks through the arena walls. Inside, the ring crew finishes tightening the ropes. The house lights are up, casting a pale glow on the squared circle.
Backstage, the air is thick with the smell of coffee, liniment, and the faint tang of metal from the production equipment.
Arrival – The Rookie Enters the Building
Through the talent entrance walks J.J. Styles. Black hoodie zipped up, gym bag slung over one shoulder, hair tied back Viking-style but jet black. His eyes are calm but cold, scanning the unfamiliar territory.
Security checks his name on the clipboard and waves him through. The narrow hallway opens up into the organized chaos of a WWF taping. Superstars pass in both directions: The Rock jokes with Jerry Lawler, Al Snow walks by talking to Head, Val Venis signs a program for a production assistant's kid.
From the corner, Fit Finlay approaches, headset around his neck.
Finlay: "Kid, you're on before the show goes live. Dark match against Shawn Stasiak. Eight minutes, stiff but safe. Show 'em what you got."
J.J. nods silently. No wasted words.
As he heads toward the locker room, Hardcore Holly steps into view, arms folded, smirk on his face.
Holly: "Another rookie, huh? Let's see if you last longer than the last one."
J.J. meets his stare but doesn't bite. Holly grins and walks off.
Farther down the hall, Stephanie McMahon passes with Shane, clipboard in hand. Her eyes flick to J.J. for half a second before she keeps walking, saying nothing.
Pre-Show Dark Match – J.J. Styles vs. Shawn Stasiak
Howard Finkel stands in the ring, tuxedo perfect, mic in hand. The crowd is still filing in, chatting and looking for their seats.
Finkel: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall, with a ten-minute time limit!"
The words barely finish when a heavy guitar riff slams through the speakers.
🎵 "VIOLENCE FETISH" – Disturbed 🎵
The low, grinding tone draws curious looks from the audience. A small pocket of fans in the pit nod to the beat. From the tunnel emerges J.J. Styles — black tactical vest and pants, taped fists, calm but intense gaze fixed on the ring.
Finkel:
"Making his World Wrestling Federation debut… from Manila, Philippines… weighing in at 220 pounds… J.J. STYLES!"
Some cheers, some murmurs — most fans are curious.
Already in the ring, Shawn Stasiak bounces lightly on his feet, stretching.
The referee calls them in, checks the gear, and signals.
Bell rings.
Opening Exchange:
They circle. Stasiak moves for a collar-and-elbow, but J.J. meets him halfway, snapping into a Muay Thai clinch and driving three rapid knees into Stasiak's ribs. The sharp thud makes front-row fans wince.
Stasiak shoves him off, clutching his side, but rushes back with a dropkick that staggers J.J. He rolls to one knee, glaring through his hair.
Mid-Match:
Stasiak whips J.J. into the ropes, but the rookie plants his feet, spins behind, and hooks a standing Kimura lock. Stasiak yells and grabs the ropes. The ref forces the break.
The crowd murmurs. This isn't the usual pre-show comedy match — it feels real.
Stasiak regroups, nails a scoop slam, drops an elbow — two-count. He tries for a suplex, but J.J. blocks it, reverses, and hits a snap German suplex with a bridge — one… two… kick-out.
Closing Sequence:
Stasiak charges. J.J. sidesteps, whips him into the corner, and explodes forward —
KINSHASA!
The knee connects flush with Stasiak's jaw. The impact echoes. Fans gasp, a few yelling "Damn!"
J.J. hooks the leg tight.
One… two… three!
Howard Finkel:
"Here is your winner… J.J. Styles!"
The ref raises his arm. J.J. doesn't pose — just stares into the hard cam for a moment before leaving the ring, boots heavy on the steps.
A murmur follows him up the ramp. "Who the hell was that?" "Man, that knee…"
Backstage – After the Match
In Gorilla, Fit Finlay meets him.
Finlay: "Good intensity, kid. Keep that edge."
Vince McMahon steps over, headset pushed to his neck.
Vince: "Presence. That's rare. We'll see you on TV soon."
Stephanie passes again with Shane, giving J.J. the faintest smirk before disappearing down the hallway.
Live Broadcast – WWF Sunday Night Heat Begins
The house lights dim. The crowd roars in anticipation.
BOOM! Pyro erupts across the stage, flames and sparks lighting the Air Canada Centre.
🎵 Sunday Night Heat theme plays 🎵
Michael Cole:
"We are LIVE in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, just minutes away from Survivor Series! Welcome to Sunday Night Heat — I'm Michael Cole alongside Kevin Kelly, and Kevin, this place is electric!"
Kevin Kelly:
"No doubt, Michael — and let me tell you, before we went on the air, Toronto fans got a special treat — an intense debut from a young man named J.J. Styles. This kid's from the Philippines, black belt MMA, and he nearly took Shawn Stasiak's head off with a knee strike."
Cole:
"We'll be keeping an eye on this newcomer, but tonight is about Survivor Series — and what a card we've got coming up!"
Match 1 – Dudley Boyz vs. Headbangers(real match)
Bubba Ray works the crowd, screaming insults at ringside fans. D-Von hits his diving headbutt. The Dudleys win via 3D to a mix of cheers and boos.
Backstage – Locker Room Tension
J.J., fresh from a shower, tapes his wrists again out of habit. Hardcore Holly leans against the lockers.
Holly: "You hit hard, rookie. Let's see if you can take it."
J.J. just stares. Holly grins and walks away.
Match 2 – Kurt Angle vs. Gangrel(real match)
Angle cuts a promo on his "three I's" before the match. Gangrel enters with his eerie Brood music. Match ends with Angle Slam for the win. Commentary briefly mentions "new talent like J.J. Styles making waves already."
Backstage – Production Hallway
Stephanie McMahon checks notes with a producer, glances at J.J. walking past, and smirks faintly.
Match 3 – Edge & Christian vs. Hardy Boyz(real match)
Toronto erupts for Edge. Fast-paced tag match ends with Christian rolling up Jeff Hardy for the win.
Closing Segment – Survivor Series Hype
Cole and Kelly hype The Rock vs. Triple H main event, recap feuds, and sign off.
Final Shot – Off Air
In a quiet hallway, J.J. sits alone, gym bag beside him, listening to the distant roar of the main event crowd. His eyes are fixed forward, already thinking about the next fight.