In 2005, Daniels had a long feud with A.J. Styles over the TNA X Division Championship. He won the title at Destination X in an Ultimate X Challenge with a screwjob ending. Styles had retrieved the belt, but the referee was unconscious. Daniels hit Styles with his Angel's Wings finisher and took the belt when the ref woke. He became the longest-reigning X Division champion, holding the belt for over 150 days. During this run, he defended against Elix Skipper, Shocker, Petey Williams, Matt Bentley, Chris Sabin, and Austin Aries. On September 11, at Unbreakable, he lost the title to Styles in a three-way dance (with Samoa Joe), when Styles reversed an Angels Wings attempt into a pin; This match received a 5-star rating from Dave Meltzer.