What a debut year AJ Styles has had in WWE. Debuting at the Royal Rumble to a massive pop, beating John Cena clean at Summerslam and then winning the WWE World Championship at Backlash, Styles truly deserves the moniker of ‘The Face That Runs the Place’.
Although much of his WWE run so far has been truly spectacular, his match against Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 32 wasn’t as stellar as hoped ( it was still great). For the Phenomenal One to truly have that Wrestlemania show-stealer (world champion or not), here are 5 Dream Opponents for AJ Styles at Wrestlemania 33.
#5 John Cena
Yes, we have already witnessed Cena vs Styles twice now (three times if you include the triple threat match at No Mercy), but a third bout between the two men at Wrestlemania 33 would still be splendid.
Already stealing the show in their first two encounters, Styles and Cena would be sure to tear the house down on the Grandest Stage of Them All, especially if they were competing for the WWE World Championship.
Also read: WWE Rumours: AJ Styles to turn face in the near future?
It isn’t yet known whether the plan is to have Cena win his 16th world championship at Wrestlemania 33, but if it is, the opponent that would give him that show-stealing match would be Styles. Even if the Phenomenal One was to lose for the second consecutive ‘Mania, it wouldn’t matter as Styles has already pinned Cena three times so far in 2016.
Also, it would be a fitting stage for Cena to capture the gold for the 16th time, finally beating Styles after falling short previously.
Even if it results in a losing effort for the Phenomenal One, Cena vs Styles III at Wrestlemania 33 would be incredible, as we have already seen what they can do in their first two encounters (with their Summerslam bout being a classic).
#4 Seth Rollins
Despite Styles having wrestled a plethora of dream matches so far in WWE (Jericho, Cena, Ambrose), a bout against Rollins has alluded him. With both men being arguably the two best in-ring workers in the WWE today, their match could be one of the best matches in recent WWE history, and that isn’t an exaggeration.
I may be over-hyping the bout a tiny bit (as both men are my two favourite wrestlers right now), but the potential 5-star classic that Rollins and Styles have waiting in the wings is too tantalising to wait for.
Also read: 5 Potential opponents for Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania 33
A Wrestlemania 33 main event for either World Title would be spectacular, and it is obvious from both men’s in-ring styles that their chemistry would be off the charts. With Rollins finally being a babyface and Styles currently being the best heel in the business, their babyface-heel dynamic would be yet another wonderful aspect of this dream match.
Although this may sound like a match that is only appealing to the hardcore WWE fans, casual fans also seem to love Seth Rollins and/or AJ Styles, and a main event at Wrestlemania 33 between Styles and Rollins would be a match nobody would want to miss. Book it, WWE.
3. Shinsuke Nakamura
Even though these two have already faced off in a classic at NJPW’s show Wrestle Kingdom 10 in January, a match (and rivalry) between Styles and Nakamura has not been showcased on the bigger stage of WWE. Sure, Nakamura isn’t even on the main roster yet, but once he debuts, this should be top of the list for his potential rivals.
As seen in their NJPW bout, the two men’s chemistry is off the charts, and with both competitor’s awesome arsenal of signature moves, Styles vs Nakamura would be guaranteed to steal the show at Wrestlemania 33.
Now that Styles is in the prime of his run as a heel, and Nakamura is ready to debut as a top babyface, a bout at Wrestlemania 33 for the WWE World Championship could be the perfect place to crown the King of Strong-Style as a main-eventer in WWE.
Although some casual fans will be sceptical about Nakamura’s ability, this match would put all those doubts to bed, as it would most certainly be a match of the year contender. With the right build, crowd, and stage, the Phenomenal One vs the King of Strong-Style could be one of the best Wrestlemania bouts in years.
Note: If you haven’t seen Nakamura’s work, check out his bout against Sami Zayn at NXT: Takeover Dallas. You will instantly become a fan.
#2 Finn Balor
Unlike other matches on this list (Styles vs Cena, Styles vs Nakamura) Finn Balor vs AJ Styles has never taken place in any wrestling promotion in the world. Despite this, a perfectly-crafted storyline is in place. When Balor left NJPW, Styles was joining, and ended up replacing him as leader of the Bullet Club.
Before they could face off however, Balor had already left the promotion, and the potential dream rivalry for the position of leader of the Bullet Club was left unfulfilled. Now that all four men are in WWE and Styles is WWE World Champion, the perfect opportunity for this feud to take place is upon us.
Although the Demon King may not make it back in time for the Royal Rumble, he will most certainly be returning in time for Wrestlemania 33. Since it seems that he will most likely be returning as a babyface, a spectacular return for Balor could be on the cards.
Imagining that Styles had reoccupied his position as leader of the Club, Balor could return as his Demon character a few weeks before Wrestlemania, attacking Styles and positioning himself as number one contender for the WWE World Championship.
Alternatively, Balor could convince Gallows and Anderson to side with him, executing a double turn where Balor becomes the new heel leader of the Club. Either way, a Balor vs Styles match at Wrestlemania 33 would be one for the ages, especially if the WWE World Championship were to be on the line.
#1 Randy Orton
Since being drafted to Smackdown Live, AJ Styles has faced off against almost every opponent that fans have wanted to see on the roster. Cena, Ambrose, Ziggler amongst others have wrestled the Phenomenal One, but there is still one more superstar left for Styles to face. The Viper, Randy Orton.
Already involved in a feud with dream opponent John Cena earlier in the summer, Styles has somehow not crossed paths with Orton in his current run on Smackdown Live. The two men are destined to clash sooner rather than later. Instead of wasting this dream match on a secondary PPV, why not wait till Wrestlemania 33?
The huge Wrestlemania crowd would be guaranteed to be incredibly hot for the dream encounter, and if the world title was on the line it could be even better. Orton could focus on capturing possibly his last World Championship, while Styles could play the role he has been playing so well as the arrogant, cocky champion heading into the bout.
Even though the Viper appears to have turned heel recently by joining the Wyatts, it may all be mind games from Orton. If he were to flip back to babyface status on the road to Wrestlemania 33, he would be gaining a ton of momentum. What better way to capitalise on that momentum than by embroiling in a dream feud with a heel Styles?
Even though Orton has lost a step or two in the ring with age, Styles would be the one opponent that could get a show-stealer match out of the veteran. Overall, Orton vs Styles at Wrestlemania 33 is the match that everyone wants to see, and it is the one big rivalry left for the Phenomenal One on Smackdown Live.
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