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When the Intercontinental Championship tournament bracket was revealed on SmackDown two weeks ago, the inclusion of AJ Styles caught everyone by surprise. Back then, he was a RAW Superstar but the IC title belonged to the Blue brand. So despite the Brand-to-brand Invitational rule in place, fans did not really give him a chance of going all the way.
That stance certainly changed last week on SmackDown. Moments after Styles took care of business with Shinsuke Nakamura in the first round of the IC title tournament, it was announced that The Phenomenal One had been traded to the Blue brand for future considerations.
AJ Styles is now certainly one of the favorites for becoming the next Intercontinental Champion. However, irrespective of how he performs in the tournament from now on, Styles certainly has a lot of Superstars he could target, now that he's back in the house that he built.
Without further ago, let us look at the possible feuds for The Phenomenal One following his move to SmackDown.
#5 AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan
I've already mentioned how AJ Styles is one of the favorites for winning the IC title. Another favorite is Daniel Bryan who will be coming up against Jeff Hardy in a semifinal later this week on SmackDown.
Hardy seems to have unfinished business with Sheamus who could certainly cost the former the match. At the same time, Styles is an overwhelming favorite against his semifinal opponent Elias. The Drifter too would be wary of a lurking King Corbin.
However, Styles vs Bryan could go much further than just the Intercontinental Championship tournament. The last time these two were in a feud was for the WWE Championship where we saw Bryan turn heel after so many years and assume the gimmick of The Planet's Champion.
The American Dragon came out on top then after multiple title defenses and perhaps The Phenomenal One could be looking to get revenge for the same. Worth mentioning is the fact that both men are now in reversed roles as Styles is back to being a heel while Bryan is once more the crowd favorite.
#4 AJ Styles vs Otis
Otis is currently the most over babyface on SmackDown while AJ Styles can possibly become the biggest heel on the Blue brand. However, there's more to this feud than just this angle as the breadcrumbs for this epic clash were laid down at Money in the Bank.
It was Styles who originally retrieved the briefcase at WWE HQ but the same fumbled out of his hands and into Otis' grasp. So, The Phenomenal One has serious grounds for complaining about the results of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Styles could confront Otis and engage in a feud with him for the Money in the Bank briefcase. The latter himself is engaged in a feud with Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville. However, you can always expect Styles to enter the fray after that.
As a matter of fact, this helps the feud as Styles vs Otis is a rivalry that could work wonders at a bigger stage such as SummerSlam.
#3 AJ Styles vs Braun Strowman
AJ Styles has enjoyed stories success as a singles competitor on SmackDown. He won his first title in the company while being a part of the Blue brand. He also held the WWE Championship for over a year while he was at SmackDown.
It would, thereby, makes absolute sense if Styles once again went after the top prize on the Blue brand, the Universal Championship, which is currently held by Braun Strowman. The two last feuded on RAW where The Monster Among Men failed to capture Styles' United States Championship.
Strowman already has his next challengers in line for his title in The Miz and John Morrison. However, this seems like a one-and-done kind of rivalry so The Monster Among Men would certainly be on the lookout for new rivals and who's better than AJ Styles for that?
Strowman seems to have unfinished business with Wyatt but WWE could be keeping that feud for SummerSlam. This makes Styles an automatic favorite. WWE Creative could book this match for the PPV after Backlash, which is generally Extreme Rules.
#2 AJ Styles vs "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt had multiple run-ins with AJ Styles during his quest for the WWE Championship back in 2017. The then Eater of Worlds had even defended the WWE title against John Cena and Styles after winning it in an Elimination Chamber match which also involved the aforementioned Superstars.
Now "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt is a huge draw for WWE and since the company seems to be saving a feud between him and Braun Strowman for SummerSlam, Wyatt is sitting idle in the meantime. In case the Creative does not put The Phenomenal One into an extended feud with Daniel Bryan, a great opportunity will open up.
We've seen since Styles' return how he still seems to be feeling the aftershocks of his Boneyard Match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36. So how does he overcome that fear? Well, how about conquering the scariest character in all of WWE today? And thus, The Phenomenal One could end up knocking at the doors of the Firefly Fun House.
It would be a great way for WWE to keep one of their biggest draws involved in a storyline. It could help build momentum for Wyatt as well following his loss at Money in the Bank. As far as Styles is concerned, he has been putting over talent of late and a loss should not hurt him.
#1 AJ Styles vs Roman Reigns
Had the world not been hit by the coronavirus pandemic, Roman Reigns would've probably been the Universal Champion right now. He was scheduled to face Goldberg for the title at WrestleMania but he backed out and was replaced by Braun Strowman who is the current champion.
Whenever he does return though, I don't see him entering the world title picture straightaway following his lengthy absence. WWE has been careful of late to not shove him down the throats of fans who have responded negatively in the past.
This is where AJ Styles comes in. He could be the perfect sparring partner for Reigns before he re-enters the title picture. Yes, there's King Corbin as well but I'm pretty sure that the majority of the WWE Universe would agree with me when I say that we've had enough of that feud already.
Styles is the perfect heel to spoil the homecoming of a major face in the company. The Phenomenal One has worked with Reigns on multiple occasions in the past and we know that these two can both draw an audience and put up a great match.
