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WrestleMania season is around the corner and speculation regarding the match-card has already begun. Though no match has been officially announced for Mania at the time being, Royal Rumble PPV is coming to us in a few days. The Rumble has always played a pivotal role in the shaping of The Shows of Shows.
This year's Royal Rumble is all the more special as it has arguably one of the best match cards for a main roster show in years. One reason for this is the Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles match for the WWE Championship. Whatever way the match may go it will certainly give an indication of things to come at Mania.
The WWE Championship has no clear path for WrestleMania which makes it more interesting. Today we will try to make different alterations and combinations for WWE Championship match depending on recent bookings.
Once again they are mere speculations thus are advised to be taken with a pinch of salt.
#1 Daniel Bryan (c) vs Mustafa Ali
The first-ever 205 Live star to make a permanent jump to the main roster was Mustafa Ali. In the short span of his main roster run, he has shown incredible qualities. He has all the abilities required to be the top guy in WWE.
Since debuting on SD live he has shown great skills in every match. Pinning the WWE Champion albeit in a tag match is no mean achievement for a rookie. It clearly shows how over Ali is with the backstage officials. His recent 'Talking Eyes' segment was one of the best segment on SmackDown Live this week.
Daniel Bryan and Mustafa Ali can bring the best out of each other. WWE will have no problem in booking this feud as they both have major heat against each other. Giving someone like Ali an opportunity will send a positive message backstage. It can help WWE in keeping multiple superstars loyal to them.
#2 AJ Styles (c) vs Randy Orton
Randy Orton has always been the resident Predator of WWE. He has always stayed at the top of chain irrespective of his age.
Orton is all set to enter the men's Royal Rumble match with an opportunity to tie Stone Cold Steve Austin's record of three Rumble victories this year. His recent actions on SmackDown Live have made him an instant favourite to win the Rumble.
It is criminally shocking that these two legends (Styles and Orton) have faced each other only once and that too on a normal episode of SmackDown Live. So a rematch at the Grandest Stage of Them All will be fit for them.
Though a match of such stature does not need a title as a catalyst in it, still, WWE should put it up for grabs as having a title as prestigious will only enhance it. The only drawback in this scenario is the negligence of other younger stars who could use this opportunity to establish themselves.
#3 Daniel Bryan (c) vs Finn Balor
This has to be one of the most bizarre scenarios in this list but we can never rule out such things in WWE. We know Balor is going to collide with The Beast at Royal Rumble PPV for Universal Championship. It will be hard to imagine Balor overcoming the odds against Lesnar.
With that being said he can still enter the men's Royal Rumble match and win it. Understanding his inability to overcome Lesnar, he can choose the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan as an alternative.
It will be a surprising move from WWE's part. WWE need not book Balor against Bryan only but they can also do a rematch of TLC 2017 where Balor and Styles faced in an impromptu match.
Balor's win in that match can act as a urge for him to choose Styles as an opponent. Balor after being overly underutilised on Raw can benefit by a jump to the blue brand.
#4 AJ Styles (c) vs Andrade
It is hard to argue that Andrade has been a standout performer on SmackDown Live in all the limited chances he received.
Though there are many other credible options for AJ Styles and Bryan to face at WrestleMania 35, Andrade can still get the final nod. His booking for the last two weeks has been very strong.
Pinning Mysterio on SD Live is no mean a major achievement for the former NXT Champion. Andrade's presence in the final segment of SmackDown can be taken as an indication of his bright future in WWE.
The honour of winning the Rumble may go to a Raw superstar but SmackDown can use the Elimination Chamber or Fastlane PPV for determining the No. 1 contender. The recent reports of Andrade turning face can be in line with his mega push to the top. A face Andrade can be pitted against AJ Styles at Mania if AJ defeats Bryan for the WWE Championship.
#5 Daniel Bryan (c) vs The Miz
It started in the early days NXT and continued on the main roster for years to come only to get further agitated on Talking Smack. They even had a rather good feud last year with some fine matches in it. A lot has changed since their last match at Super-Show Down PPV in Australia.
Bryan is not only now the WWE Champion but he is also an egoistic heel. Whereas The Miz has been trying to find his footing in tag team division with his co-bestie Shane McMahon.
Though most of the time such alliances end-up in a future match. This time WWE can swerve fans by letting a face Miz face a heel Bryan at Mania. To be precise Miz has been doing complete justice with his new role of being a face.
It will be a completely fresh pairing. They both can deliver a technically sound match with a great amount of storytelling involved in it. Though this is very unlikely to happen, its just an opinion.
