WrestleMania 34: 5 potential finishes for the WWE Championship between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura

One is the Phenomenal One and the WWE champion, and the other is referred to as The Artist and the King of Strong Style. However, once we get past their nicknames, for fans they are arguably the most captivating and exciting performers in WWE today.

Their success is something fans have witnessed since both men entered the WWE. While their paths may have been different, what isn't different is the exceptional the talents of these men.

When it became apparent that this was going to be the match for the SmackDown Live exclusive championship, fans began to salivate at not just how long their match would be, but just how engaging a match they would see.

In this article, we explore a variety of different possibilities for the result of this championship match. Here are five potential finishes for the WWE championship match at WrestleMania 34 between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura.

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#5 No contest, Styles injury

Could Styles' injury be far worse that it's being made out to be?

Sometimes fans will voice their displeasure at the decision making for a match, or even an event as a whole. In the case of a match between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura, the collective wrestling fan base had celebrated just how good this match could be if it is granted sufficient time.

That is the caveat for this match. A match that is given time can show fans just how phenomenal (no pun intended) the performers can be.

The story that unfolds will often grab fans just as much as the result of the match. However, the worst-case scenario would be for fans to be played, and if an injury hampers the match up.

As mentioned previously, while Styles is doing all he can to ensure that he has recovered and is prepared to compete to the best of his ability, there is some doubt, and one action could set him back during the duration of the match.

The worst-case scenario is that the match is called off as Styles is unable to compete, leaving fans disappointed in the outcome.

#4 Outside interference

Could outside interference play a part in the result of this match?

While not having a clean win in a match of this magnitude would hurt its overall impact that doesn't mean it wouldn't happen, even if doing that cheapens the overall presentation.

However, the fact remains there may be others jealous of this match happening, and it is a featured match. Have Rusev, Aiden English and Nakamura settled their differences with one another?

Could another potential contender for the title like Dolph Ziggler get involved because he feels he deserves to be featured in a match of this prominence?

Nakamura and Styles have engaged in a rivalry that has been based on mutual respect, with just a hint of 'anything you can do I can do better'. While outside distractions and involvement may not be ideal, it would set the stage for other feuds that the winner will engage in after this match-up comes to an end.

#3 Styles turns heel mid-match

Could we see Styles cross the line during this match up?

In the build-up to the match, fans have seen Nakamura on more than one occasion either come to the aid of AJ Styles or thwart any potential threat to him and his WWE championship.

He has taken out Rusev and Aiden English to help a beaten down WWE champion and has fought off those two men after they attacked him following his match against Rusev.

Nakamura has shown Styles just what he is capable of whether he is facing one or two men, even when he isn't anticipating it. We could see a scenario play out where Styles is frustrated by his inability to finish off Nakamura, leading to a complete about-face and The Phenomenal one resorting to underhanded tactics to get the better of his opponent.

A match that initially had fans cheering for both men could become one where they turn on the otherwise talented Styles who went from being phenomenal to the frustrated one.

#2 AJ Styles retains the WWE championship

Will Styles walk out of WrestleMania still as the WWE champion?

Arn Anderson once said 'adversity introduces a man to himself'. It isn't until someone is truly faced with obstacles that they are able to see their true worth and overcome them. The nature of it has not been made public, but there is widespread speculation that AJ Styles is facing an injury, believed to be on his knee.

With that kind of injury, the type of offense that he would use is somewhat hampered. How will he be able to move around the ring? Will he be able to leap and use the top rope?

What could come about is a story about Styles being injured at the beginning of the match, and having to overcome the odds, beating a hungry Shinsuke Nakamura in order to retain the WWE championship?

Styles has faced bigger and stronger men, but arguably the most talked about match he has ever been a part of over the last five years was his last encounter with Nakamura.

Could a story about redemption be told, with an injured Styles coming out on top?

#1 Shinsuke Nakamura captures the WWE Championship

Could it be the day when the king of strong style becomes the king of the WWE and SmackDown Live?

His coming to the WWE has long been heralded and highly touted. When he first joined NXT, Nakamura's assent to capture the NXT championship from Samoa Joe proved that he deserved to be in WWE.

After he was called to join the SmackDown Live roster, Nakamura didn't initially appear as though the WWE championship was in his future, as his first time challenging for the title, against champion Jinder Mahal, didn't see him walk away as the champion.

However, after he won the 2018 Royal Rumble, the collective wrestling world was elated at the fact that he was going to compete for a major championship at WrestleMania. With rumors swirling that Styles is currently battling an injury, having Nakamura win the title may be a good idea.

Fans could anticipate a highly competitive and intense battle reminiscent of their match-up at Wrestle Kingdom 10 for New Japan Pro Wrestling. This could be a tremendous occasion, with Nakamura winning the title.