3 WWE Superstars who could end AJ Styles' record breaking title reign

Three top stars on SmackDown live
Three top stars on SmackDown live

AJ Styles has been the WWE Champion for over a year now since he defeated Jinder Mahal for the WWE title in November last year. He is set to clash against Brock Lesnar in a champion versus champion encounter at the upcoming Survivor Series PPV.

After his clash with The Beast at Survivor Series, The Phenomenal One is scheduled to defend his title at WWE's last PPV event of the year - TLC.

Since winning the WWE Championship last year, AJ Styles has feuded with superstars like Jinder Mahal, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rusev, and Samoa Joe over the title.

Styles defeated the team of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match for the WWE Championship at WWE Royal Rumble 2018. After the Royal Rumble PPV, he entered into a feud with the men's Royal Rumble match winner, Shinsuke Nakamura.

Nakamura's Royal Rumble win set up the much anticipated (at that time) rematch between The King Of Strong Style and The Phenomenal One for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34.

Their match at WrestleMania 34 could not meet the lofty expectations of the WWE Universe, as it was not near the level of the classic Wrestle Kingdom bout they both had during their time in NJPW.

Shinsuke Nakamura turned heel after losing his WWE title match at WrestleMania by delivering an infamous low blow to the champ, in one of the most shocking moments of the night.

AJ Styles after his feud with The King Of Strong Style entered into a deeply personal rivalry with his real life best friend, Samoa Joe, over the title. In spite of getting many repeated opportunities, Samoa Joe failed to capture the WWE Championship.

In this slideshow take a look at superstars who have the best chance of dethroning AJ Styles.


Honorable mentions

John Cena, Finn Balor, and Kenny Omega have slim chances. As John Cena is a part-timer, Finn Balor is on Raw, and Jeff Hardy is past his prime to be the primary champion.

Another outside option is Kenny Omega whose NJPW contract ends in early 2019. If he arrives in WWE next year, he has a great chance of squaring off against The Phenomenal One and defeating him.


#3 The Miz

The Miz
The Miz

WWE's resident Hollywood A-lister, The Miz, has been one of the best heels in the last few years. He is a bonafide sports entertainer, and has also improved his in-ring work a lot in the last few years.

His entertaining IC title matches with the likes of Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins are the shining examples of his improved in-ring performances.

The Miz is currently speculated to be next in line for a championship match opportunity against AJ Styles.

The Miz is currently one of the top heels on SmackDown Live alongside Randy Orton, Samoa Joe, and Shinsuke Nakamura. Joe and Nakamura both have failed to defeat Styles on multiple occasions, so Miz is the only top heel aside from Randy Orton left on SmackDown Live.

The Miz is a former WWE Champion, so he definitly could defeat AJ Styles if presented with the opportunity.

#2 Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan

The leader of Yes movement, Daniel Bryan, is regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world alongside current WWE Champion AJ Styles. Both of them recently battled for the WWE Championship on an episode of SmackDown Live in which Styles retained his championship.

They were to clash at the Crown Jewel PPV, but Daniel Bryan's refusal to travel to Saudi Arabia led to the change of plans, as he was replaced by Samoa Joe.

Daniel Bryan has not held any primary WWE title since 2014 when he was forced to relinquish the WWE Championship following his monumental victory in the main event of WrestleMania 30.

Daniel Bryan versus AJ Styles is a surefire WrestleMania main event level contest, and with Roman Reigns not around in the company currently, the WWE Universe might get to see the much deserved AJ Styles in the main event of next year's WrestleMania.

Nobody else would be the perfect opponent for Styles other than Daniel Bryan at The Grandest Stage Of Them All. It would surely be a sight to behold if these two technically gifted wrestlers get a chance to main event WrestleMania 35.

#1 Randy Orton

Randy Orton
Randy Orton

The Viper has been on a roll recently since turning heel, as he transformed himself from a stale babyface into a vicious and sadistic heel. He had an amazing feud with Jeff Hardy after the refreshing heel turn.

Now he seems to be entering into a feud with Rey Mysterio. It was hinted during the WWE World Cup tournament in Saudi Arabia, as Randy Orton attacked Rey Mysterio viciously after losing their match.

AJ Styles is the biggest fan favourite on WWE SmackDown (arguably in all of WWE), and Randy Orton is one of the greatest heels WWE has ever seen, so it won't be a surprise if WWE books them together in a high profile title clash.

Randy Orton versus AJ Styles is a match capable of main eventing any PPV. Randy Orton's star power and strong heel character makes him an ideal candidate to feud with The Phenomenal One, as well as defeat him for the prestigious WWE Championship in the near future.

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