5 Next possible challengers for AJ Styles' United States Championship

On this week's episode of Monday Night RAW, AJ Styles once again retained the WWE United States Championship over Cedric Alexander in another outstanding match between the pair. Over the past few weeks, both Styles and Alexander have given us some great matches and have also shown amazing chemistry between each other, as well.

With Alexander failing to win the US Title once again on RAW, it could mean that this was probably his last shot at the championship for a while. It also means that Styles, on the other hand, is in need of a new title challenger, a worthy contender who could possibly step up to The Phenomenal One and have a crack at the US Title in the near future.

As of now, the current midcard scene on RAW is full of names who are more than capable of stepping up and challenging for the United States Championship. And with the WWE 2019 Draft set to take place within a few days, there are also a few worthy US Title contenders who could jump ship from SmackDown Live and challenge AJ Styles to a title match.

With that being said, here are 5 next possible challengers for AJ Styles' United States Championship following his win over Cedric Alexander.

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#5 Apollo Crews

Apollo Crews

Adding Apollo Crews to this list might come in as a big shock to some of the readers, however, having him challenge for a singles title at this stage of his career would definitely be something very refreshing to see.

There is certainly no doubt in how amazing Crews is inside the squared circle and the immense athletic abilities that he possesses, as well. A pure babyface on the main roster, having Crews feud against a heel trio of AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows would definitely benefit both parties from here onwards.

With a feud against Apollo Crews, The O.C. could very well establish themselves as a menacing heel trio and Styles, for one could also further solidify his place as the current WWE United States Champion.

#4 Gran Metalik

Gran Metalik

Despite being an official member of the WWE 205 Live roster, Gran Metalik recently got a chance to showcase his amazing lucha talents on RAW when he went one-on-one against Rey Mysterio in an exciting match, upon the latter's recent return to in-ring competition.

Despite the Lucha House Party belonging to the Cruiserweight Division, WWE has allowed the trio of Kalisto, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado to appear on RAW on a regular basis, as the three masked luchadors have been seen competing against some of the finest talents from the main roster.

Metalik would definitely be a solid contender for the United States Championship and a series of matches between him and AJ Styles would certainly be worth watching. After all, since Styles has won the US Title, The Phenomenal One has been defending the strap against some of the best high fliers in WWE such as the likes of Ricochet and Cedric Alexander.

Also, let us not forget that a feud between Styles and Metalik could also lead to six-man tag matches between The OC and The Lucha House Party.

#3 The Miz

The Miz

The Miz recently failed to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship for a record ninth time from Shinsuke Nakamura at Clash of Champions, however, that certainly isn't preventing The A-Lister from challenging for the other mid-card title, that is, the WWE US Championship.

Being a former United States Champion, having a babyface Miz step up to The O.C. and their shenanigans and eventually challenge AJ Styles for the US Championship would be a perfect story at this point.

As of now, it might be likely for The Miz to get picked for either Team Flair or Team Hogan for Crown Jewel but a program with AJ Styles over the WWE US Championship is more than welcome after that.

Personally, I would definitely love to see a babyface Miz get a run as champion once again, given how WWE hasn't really been doing anything significant with him for the past few months now.

#2 Cesaro

Cesaro

Cesaro has definitely been struggling on the main roster for quite some time now and despite putting on some of the best performances in the squared circle, the former WWE United States Champion has been struggling to win matches on Monday Night RAW.

Within the past few months, Cesaro has lost some vital clashes against the likes of Aleister Black, The Miz, and on the very recent edition of RAW, he suffered a defeat to former US Champion, Ricochet.

A feud between AJ Styles and Cesaro is something fans have been urging to witness for several years now and this definitely seems like the right time for WWE to actually book the two men in a long-term rivalry. With Cesaro suffering several notable defeats over the past few months, the former WWE RAW Tag Team Champion could also use a fresh face turn and then could step up to the plate to challenge The Phenomenal One for the WWE US Championship.

#1 Buddy Murphy

Buddy Murphy

This might come in as another unusual entry on this list, however, this definitely remains as a solid possibility with the 2019 Draft set to take place within a few days. Over on SmackDown Live, former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy was recently engaged in a memorable storyline involving the likes Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, and Erick Rowan that eventually led to Murphy pinning former WWE Champion Bryan, as well.

However, since that victory, WWE hasn't done anything major with The Best Kept Secret and maybe it is finally time for him to change brands and jump ship to Monday Night RAW. Over on RAW, a babyface Murphy is open to a feud against The OC and AJ Styles, someone with whom Murphy could very well have some solid matches to watch out for.

Styles, as we know, is very comfortable in the ring with high-flying stars and Murphy will be a perfectly suitable US Title challenger for The Phenomenal One.