All over the world, there are many opportunities for technically gifted wrestlers to compete against one another, setting up some of the greatest moments in wrestling. When it comes to WWE, it is no different. Over the past few years, the company has brought in some of the most notable talent in the world to create moments within the promotion.
Whether it was Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe or AJ Styles, these notable athletes earned a name for themselves long before WWE came calling. However, now that they are with the company, several different possibilities appear to present themselves.
Despite not all being on the same brand, the potential for these stellar performers to face one another on a cross-brand pay per view is quite intriguing. We're not talking about a series of matches but rather a one-off matchup on a pay per view where both Smackdown Live and Raw are involved.
Which matches could turn heads, and which are one's fans would want to see? Here are five matches WWE fans would want to see in a cross-brand pay per view.
#5 AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe
The adage good friends make great enemies couldn't be any truer when it comes to these two. As fans may or may not know, Joe and AJ are very good friends outside the ring. They have spent time together in other promotions, most notably TNA, facing off in the ring many times, and as it has turned out they are reunited in WWE.
Joe made his debut competing for NXT, while Styles went directly to the main roster after joining the company. As it stands right now, both men are competing as heels for their respective brands, Joe and Raw and Styles on SmackDown Live.
However, if a cross-brand pay per view was going to feature cross-brand matches, having these two cross paths would ensure an outstanding match from these two true professionals.
#4 Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles
Nearly ten years Rollins’ senior, Styles can do things in the ring that much younger men can only dream about. These two crossing paths didn't happen prior to the brand split, as Rollins was returning from injury to face Roman Reigns, while Styles was in the midst of a feud with John Cena.
Having them face one another would presumably be a good match-up of styles that would make for must-watch television. They could be facing each other as heels, faces, or in opposing roles, but ultimately their match would be for bragging rights for their respective brand.
#3 Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles
One is The Demon and the other is Phenomenal, but both men were part of the Bullet Club in New Japan Pro Wrestling during their tenures with the promotion. While in Japan, Balor was competing under his real name Fergal Devitt and was the founder and leader of the faction, a role he held until departing Japan and joining WWE as part of their NXT brand.
Upon Balor's exit, Styles took over the role of leader and held the role until leaving for WWE. These two have never faced one another in a WWE ring, or anywhere else, and it doesn't appear they will face each other anytime soon unless a cross-brand pay per view event was to take place.
They are fairly close in age and even have a similar move set, with the Pele kick being something both men use as part of their arsenal. To have these men perform in a match of this magnitude would certainly be one that everyone watching would enjoy.
#2 Kevin Owens vs. Samoa Joe
They never crossed paths outside the WWE at any point, as both men were in opposing promotions during their respective rise to prominence. However, when Samoa Joe first debuted in NXT, he came to the aid of Sami Zayn as Zayn was on the receiving end of an attack by Kevin Owens.
While a word or fists were never exchanged between the two, they came face-to-face, and in doing so teased the potential of an encounter. While both men are securely on opposing brands, and neither man has shown any ill will towards the other, that doesn't mean that if push came to shove things couldn't get heated between them.
In the event that a match was to happen, they would be fighting for not only their own pride but the honor of the brand that they represent. If we look at their collective move sets, it is easy to see that a match between them wouldn't only be intense, but hard-hitting as well.
#1 Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins
Two of the most exciting elements on either roster have the potential of coming together and providing fans with captivating moments in a winner-take-all segment.
It would be a dream match simply because of both men's ability to strike and perform spots, while also carrying a charisma that is unmistakable. Their charm also lends itself to an unprecedented story being told in the ring.
How would the match between them unfold? It is pretty safe to say that there would be an exciting exchange of punches, kicks, and dives, and athleticism that would get those in attendance to sit up and take notice. Nakamura is new to Smackdown Live, while Rollins has been a staple on Raw for a long time.
It would be impossible to not feel the excitement that accompanies a match between them.
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