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LA Knight and AJ Styles will battle on the upcoming episode of SmackDown for the right to face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Backlash Premium Live Event.
The Megastar and The Phenomenal One won triple threat matches on last week's blue brand. With each performer winning last week, the enemies will continue their feud from WrestleMania 40.
Due to their personal nature and ongoing hatred, their match on SmackDown has even higher stakes. With a shot at Cody Rhodes' title on the line, their #1 Contender contest could play out in one of the following four ways.
#4. AJ Styles cheats to win
Throughout their whole feud, AJ Styles has been fuming at LA Knight. He believes The Megastar cost him a shot at Roman Reigns late last year. When he returned, he targeted Reigns and Knight.
While The Defiant One qualified for the Elimination Chamber event, Styles blamed Knight for his inability to do the same. The former WWE Champion attacked Knight during the Chamber match, leading to his elimination.
Since LA Knight was victorious at WrestleMania 40, Styles will have even more incentive to win at any cost. Cheating to earn his shot at the new Undisputed WWE Champion is a strong possibility for The Phenomenal One.
#3. LA Knight picks up a clean win
Knight earned a measure of revenge on AJ Styles by beating him cleanly at WrestleMania 40. The feud wasn't over after both men earned the chance to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
With the WWE Draft a week away, certain moves will have to be made to counter other moves. If Rhodes moves to SmackDown permanently, Knight should go to the other brand.
He's only resorted to underhanded tactics when pushed to the edge. With such a big chance on the line, Knight could beat Styles in the middle of the ring once again. It would leave no doubt about who won their feud.
#2. AJ Styles cleanly beats his WrestleMania 40 foe
Since LA Knight picked up the win at the biggest 'Mania of all time, it might be The Phenomenal One's turn to earn a huge win.
If Knight beats Styles for the second time in a row, The Phenomenal One will lose some momentum. To keep with the face/heel dynamic for Cody Rhodes' first title defense, the heel should win.
Winning cleanly would tie the feud with The Megastar and potentially lead to a definitive third showdown. Styles cleanly won his triple threat match so he could do the same on SmackDown.
#1. The O.C. helps AJ Styles win on SmackDown
An ongoing side angle for AJ Styles has been the distance between himself and his friends, The O.C. Mia Yim and The Good Brothers wanted to help Styles but he adopted a darker persona when he returned late last year. He didn't want their help and wasn't interested in their pursuits.
The O.C. went to NXT for a few weeks but didn't earn a title shot. Yim has also been in limbo despite impressing when given the chance. The group could return to SmackDown before the Draft to align with Styles as heels.
Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, or Michin could interfere to show Styles that they are on the same page once again. It would give The Phenomenal One more heat and lead to a match at another event.
