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There's a lot riding on Extreme Rules, coming our way this weekend. And this is particularly true for the SmackDown Live brand. While RAW's ratings have not dipped significantly, SmackDown Live's viewership continues to plummet with every passing week. WWE has a chance to rectify this with the WWE Championship match.
AJ Styles may be the most 'over' performer currently on SmackDown Live. The only other performer who gets the reception that rivals the one he does (notable exception: Daniel Bryan) is Rusev! The crowd should be electric when the two men finally come to blows.
How will this match eventually play out when the pay-per-view comes around? In this article, I will suggest 5 possible ways this could happen.
Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts and views!
#5 Aiden English helps Rusev become champion
AJ Styles has been a fighting champion thus far. He has managed to withstand every challenge that was thrust before him with his skills and his competence. I think he will be more than up to the task of defeating Rusev in a singles match.
However, there's always the threat of Aiden English looming in the ringside area. English has been Rusev's songbird and valet on SmackDown Live, two men finding common ground in their heelish ways. English could be the X-factor who tips the scale in the favour of AJ Styles as champion.
Could Rusev Day finally shine bright with Aiden English distracting Styles when he's about to pick up a victory? This could bring Styles' long and fantastic run to an end. It would mean that the crowd will finally get that they wanted- Rusev as Champion. And then, every single day will be Rusev Day!
#4 Samoa Joe takes Styles out
In many ways, it would be fair to say that Samoa Joe and AJ Styles put TNA on the map. Fast forward a few years, and both men are SmackDown Live superstars competing at the highest level in wrestling. While AJ Styles is already the champion, Samoa Joe is biding his time for a big opportunity to shine. Could the seeds for a SummerSlam match be planted this weekend?
Just when it seems that AJ Styles has the match under control, Samoa Joe could show up out of nowhere and choke Styles out. Not only will this shake things up in SmackDown Live, it would also elevate Samoa Joe who's seemed far too lost in the mix. We all know just how good Styles vs. Joe can be, if given the opportunity.
Maybe the eventual match at SummerSlam could also be a multi-man affair with Rusev included. I would be open to seeing the three men mix it up!
#3 Rusev wins the match clean
Yes, the SmackDown Live audience loves AJ Styles as champion, but they've already seen him have his moment. What they haven't seen thus far is Rusev enjoying his moment in the sun. In my opinion, if Rusev were to win clean on pay-per-view, WWE fans would certainly go wild. It would also allow AJ Styles to chase, getting fans invested in him once again.
Will Rusev make for a good champion, going forward? There's no real way to predict if such will be the case. But it will elevate Rusev to the next level. It will make for some very interesting television.
#2 Lana aligns herself with Rusev, helps him win
This has been a rumour that's been doing the rounds, since forever. Lana and Rusev will be paired again, much like they were during Rusev's initial run. The rumour went on to speculate that Aiden English would be kicked out of Rusev's entourage, going forward.
There's no better stage than Extreme Rules for this to happen, honestly. Lana helps Rusev become WWE Champion and gets rid of Aiden English. This could launch a potential storyline between the two men, in months to follow.
Lana was sadly no great shakes in the women's division. Managing Rusev may be a role better suited to her skills.
#1 AJ Styles wins clean
Chances are the AJ Styles vs. Rusev program is a temporary one. It is to excite fans for the possibility that Rusev could potentially become the next WWE Champion. In reality, it may be a stage for Styles to triumph once again. Until the next real challenger comes around at SummerSlam.
Extreme Rules may be too small a stage for a major title change. Certain rumours indicate that there will be no title changes at the pay-per-view event. And for the same reason, expect Styles to win!
Maybe he'll win with a picture perfect Styles clash. Maybe he will hit a phenomenal forearm out of nowhere.
Maybe he will lock the Calf Crusher and make Rusev tap out and how!
Who do you think will win between AJ Styles and Rusev? Tell us in the comments below!
