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#3 Gives both legends something to do
Randy Orton turned heel against Jeff Hardy and unleashed his sadistic side on the SmackDown Live roster. He made it his mission to obliterate every single babyface the fans loved and cheered.
He started off his run by demolishing Jeff Hardy. He then directed his rage towards Tye Dillinger and Rey Mysterio. After these rivalries, Orton needs a higher profiled superstar to keep his momentum going. And no better opponent than AJ Styles.
If you've noticed, the last two times that Orton pinned Styles, it was out of nowhere and robbed Styles of an important opportunity or stipulation. This could be a subtle, nuanced way of storytelling on the part of the WWE.
Everything fits snugly. Orton's sadistic quest gets a logical development, with Styles being legitimately hugely over with the fans. Also, Styles needs a high profile rivalry to keep him busy, now that he is out of the title picture.
It'll suit Styles as the gritty babyface overcoming an unhinged monster. It'd be even greater if Randy gets his comeuppance at the Grandest Stage of Them All. The story fits perfectly, and the result could be a blockbuster.
