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SmackDown Live had a very interesting end in 2018. While the last shot would ideally be Rusev holding the United States championship for a feel-good ending, WWE chose to end it with a much more interesting angle.
This angle is so interesting that it could change the course of AJ Styles' career in 2019. If you're not aware, what happened was that AJ Styles walked into Vince McMahon's office. McMahon had called for him and wanted to have a little talk with the former WWE Champion.
He spoke about ensuring that AJ Styles doesn't get complacent. He talked about a lot of stars in the past who won championships, made money and got complacent and walked away. He knew AJ Styles didn't fall into that category, so he lit a fire underneath Styles, telling him to bring out his inner animal.
It got to the point where McMahon attacked Styles before Styles struck him back down. Vince McMahon was more than happy at what happened. Why did it happen? Here's why!
#4 AJ Styles is turning heel
It's hard to imagine AJ Styles as a heel again, especially since he's been a babyface for the last 20 months or so. He cemented his spot as the top babyface of the blue brand and had a strong year-long run as WWE Champion.
However, if Daniel Bryan has proven anything, it's that the most beloved babyfaces can do well as a heel. Styles had a great heel run (though he was cheered for 85% of his heel run at the very least), but WWE might feel that it's time to change it up a bit.
This could also be a prelude to a move to RAW after WrestleMania, where he can once again dominate as a top heel.
#3 It's based on a real conversation
When Vince McMahon told AJ Styles that he had to unleash his inner animal, that's based off a conversation they had in real life. AJ Styles, even before he said it on his 365 special episode, mentioned in an interview that when he got a massive reaction on his Royal Rumble 2016 debut, McMahon thought it was a fluke. He continued, saying:
I don’t even think I was supposed to be on Raw that next Monday. But the turning point where Vince really saw something in me was when I had a regular match, a babyface match, went out and did my thing. I came back to gorilla and Vince says, ‘Come here for a second. I’ve got other guys who can do exactly what you just did out there. You didn’t do anything special. I need a pit bull. I need a guy who just attacks. I need a guy who gets after it.’
It's quite clear that it's a play off that conversation, as Styles admitted that it was a turning point in his career. But there's more...
#2 Vince McMahon and AJ Styles are getting into a new storyline
It's believed that Vince McMahon normally only gets into storylines with superstars who he sees a lot of potential or value in, as he's known for putting over superstars big time. Over the years, he's feuded and been in storylines with elite superstars such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Triple H and even Bobby Lashley when he was red hot in 2007, among other names.
McMahon was the clear provocator in this situation and given that he's going to be sticking around a lot more with the new on-screen management, it's likely that he's going to get involved in a storyline with AJ Styles. Whether it's setting hurdles in front of him, or even pushing him on, it's definitely going to be interesting to see where the storyline heads.
What's clear is that Vince McMahon is a huge fan of AJ Styles and is personally invested in pushing him again.
#1 AJ Styles is adding a new edge to his character
AJ Styles doesn't necessarily need a heel turn to add a new dimension to his character. Just look at Becky Lynch this year. She did turn heel briefly and that was a catalyst to her new character, but if you really think about it, it didn't feel like a heel turn because a majority of the fans were sympathetic to her point of view.
Not only this, but it made the reactions towards her stronger and each week her popularity was audibly increasing. WWE finally realized this and she quietly turned babyface again, with the same edge to her character.
AJ Styles too can add a new dimension to his character without turning heel and the McMahon storyline could be a catalyst to it. For all we know, it could have WrestleMania implications of sorts as well, with his rumoured opponent being Randy Orton.
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