3 possible outcomes of Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles at Hell in a Cell

AJ Styles and Samoa Joe have been involved in a bitter feud since before WWE SummerSlam 2018. After having held the title for over 300 days and setting a new record, it seems like the champion has finally met his match.

Joe arrived back on the scene and has immediately stamped his authority over the heel roster of SmackDown Live. He is a world-act and you’d never see him break character. There were reports that a Joe win over Styles at SummerSlam was planned, but reversed last minute to ensure the feud goes on for longer.

This means that there are greater odds of Joe winning the title at Hell in a Cell than Styles retaining the championship. Currently, there are very few men on the blue brand who are worthy enough of holding the title and justifying it. Joe is at the top amongst those men.

A victory at Hell in a Cell would boost his career and provide a breath of fresh air for the WWE Creative and fans. After all, Joe has the potential to become the new face of SmackDown Live and carry the brand forward.

With Survivor Series on the horizon, a heel SmackDown champion against a face Raw champion will highlight the event more than two faces going at each other.

Lets look at three possible outcomes of the scheduled match between The Samoan Submission Machine and The Phenomenal One.

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#3 Disqualification

AJ Styles has been pushed to the limits

It’s strange that after their bout ended in a disqualification at SummerSlam 2018, this match will still be under regular rules. A No-Disqualification match between the two men would have added spice and flavor to the event and made it much more physical than it’ll already be.

With that said, it is possible that WWE is once again planning to take this match into a disqualification of one of the superstars in order to continue this highly indulging feud between SmackDown’s biggest babyface and baddest heel.

If this is the case, then their next match at the WWE Super Show-Down will be a No-Disqualification match and reach a decisive end.

#2 Nap time

There's no way out once it's applied

The Samoan Submission Machine is a master at putting his rivals to sleep. And that’s exactly what he plans to do to the WWE Champion at Hell in a Cell.

The Coquina Clutch is an unforgiving maneuver, and it could mark AJ Styles’ championship reign’s end at Hell in a Cell. It is possible that instead of submitting to the maneuver, Styles will pass out and remain unable to compete, eventually handing the victory to Joe.

This would further complicate the rivalry between the two men as they’d continue to battle further at the next pay-per-view to get a decisive submission or pin-fall to put an end to the match and their feud.

#1 Styles turns Heel

Styles has been a face for too long

The most shocking result that could come out of this match. Styles has been the face of the blue brand for well over a year now, and he’s been a fan-favorite all this time. This has allowed fewer faces to get a chance at the title, and more heels to go after it.

Even the Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura was forced to turn heel after his unsuccessful title match at WrestleMania 34, in order to get more chances at the title.

If the WWE plans to keep the title on Styles going forward, then they need to turn Styles heel and open up new possibilities for him and the creative. There is no better opportunity for turning Styles heel than against Samoa Joe in a very personal feud.

He’s already attacked Joe with steel chairs in the past and can do so again in a quest to injure him in a fit of rage. Losing the title won't do too much damage to Styles' character at the moment, but turning heel might benefit him going forward.