5 booking options for AJ Styles as WWE Champion

Wow, it actually happened. AJ Styles defeated Jinder Mahal on this week's episode of Smackdown Live from Manchester, England to become the new WWE Champion. It was the first-ever WWE Title change outside of North America and the first title change on Smackdown since 2003 when Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle.

So, where does the WWE go from here with "The Phenomenal One"? While the next step is set in stone: A match against Brock Lesnar at WWE Survivor Series 2017, there are question marks on what's the best road to restoring the prestige of the WWE Championship.

After The Modern Day Maharaja's less than stellar run at the top of Smackdown Live, it will be interesting to see how the WWE goes about trying to fix things. So, without any further ado, here is our list of five booking options for AJ Styles as WWE Champion:

#5) Turn him heel

Now, this might be an unpopular option but bear with me here. AJ Styles did some of his best work over his almost two-year stint in the WWE as a heel. He had two superb feuds against John Cena as well as a fabulous WWE Wrestlemania 33 match against Shane McMahon.

True, he's going to be cheered regardless of his alignment as a babyface or a heel but it's more fun to see him as a heel, in my humble opinion.

#4) AJ Styles vs John Cena, Part 3

AJ Styles and John Cena have put on two absolutely stunning programs together since AJ turned heel last year. While Styles got the better of Cena in Part 1, The Doctor of Thuganomics came roaring back to win the WWE Championship from The Phenomenal One in Part 2 at the WWE Royal Rumble 2017.

Cena has done it all, he is a 4-time tag team champion, 5-time US Champion and one World title away from being the most successful WWe Champion in history!

So, things are primed for a Part 3 between the two men and honestly, who better for John Cena to beat if he is indeed going to surpass Ric Flair's record of 16 World Titles?

#3) Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn set their sights on the WWE Championship

Is it Sami's time to challenge for the big belt?

Sami Zayn's recent heel turn was a huge moment for the Underdog from the Underground but the WWE has to do something worthwhile with it in order for it to mean something. Not just for Sami, but also for Kevin Owens.

So, why not put them up against AJ Styles and have them chase after the WWE Title? We can even have a change in dynamic by having Owens helping out Zayn instead of the other way around, as they try to dethrone the Phenomenal One.

#2) AJ Styles drops the title back to Jinder Mahal

Now, this one is hugely unpopular with everyone, including me, but it's a strong enough possibility that we have to consider it. AJ Styles' title run might be a short-term thing. He might have been given the title only as a means to spice up the WWE Champion vs Universal Champion match against Brock Lesnar.

If that is indeed the case, then expect The Phenomenal One's second reign as WWE Champion to be a short one with him dropping the belt back to Jinder Mahal.

#1) AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Now, this has already been teased by the WWE during this year's WWE Money in the Bank Ladder match and it seems like the stage has been perfectly set for AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura.

The King of Strong Style needs a strong program in order to restore his tattered reputation and there is no better opponent for him than The Phenomenal One. After all, the fans want to see it and the two men have already proven that they can deliver the goods with their superb Wrestle Kingdom match in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

This has Match of the Year written all over it. Make it happen, WWE.