As was the anticipating from many upon his arrival into the company, AJ Styles has had a truly sensational year. The former TNA stand out has been in the WWE for less than twelve months, and during that time has put on performances that need to be seen in order to believe. Honestly, he's that good.
After many believed he'd simply be used in order to get the other guys over, Styles has taken the company by storm and as a result, he is walking into the Royal Rumble as the WWE Champion. It doesn't get much bigger than that and as we prepare for WrestleMania season, there is one question in the minds of everyone.
Who, exactly, is AJ Styles going to face off against at WrestleMania 33? It's the place that The Phenomenal One made his name, and it's also the place where he debuted at the 2016 Rumble. There's a lot at stake and you can bet that the WWE Universe is going to be behind the heel champion regardless of who he's facing.
So with that being said, let's take a look at five potential WrestleMania bouts for AJ Styles.
#1 Kurt Angle
Oh! It's true, it's damn true. With Kurt Angle's comments stating that he wants a match with Styles, it may well be only a matter of time before this becomes a reality. The two men have had many epic clashes in TNA, but nothing would quite compare to whatever they produce on the grandest stage of them all.
The two men are extremely decorated within the wrestling business but their experience levels at Mania couldn't be more different - not that it matters. Whether Styles walks into the Citrus Bowl as the WWE Champion or not, there are a thousand different ways in which you can successfully set this bout up that would entertain the millions of fans watching.
Plus, the great thing about this match is that it doesn't need a stipulation. There's no limit to what these guys can do in the ring and to make this happen would be purely about the wrestling product and nothing less than a genius move. Styles could come out victorious and celebrate the triumph for the next few months, or alternatively, it could help transition him back into a babyface. Either one will work.
#2 The Undertaker
This one may well be the easiest out of all five to set up, and it's a bout that quite a lot of people were actually expecting to see. The Deadman has already been confirmed as an entrant into the 2017 Royal Rumble match, and should AJ defeat Cena earlier in the night, fans will begin to believe that this match could actually take place.
Taker could hold Styles personally responsible for tarnishing the WWE Championship due to his attitude over the last few months. The respect between the two will be clear, but Taker says that he wants one more run with the strap meanwhile AJ doesn't really know how to handle the whole situation.
The important thing here though is making The Phenomenal One feel like a star. When you're put into a match of this magnitude against someone like Taker, it's a sink or swim scenario, and we all know that AJ has what it takes to create some magic with the veteran.
#3 Finn Balor
As we've covered numerous times now, Balor vs Styles needs to happen. Whether it's at this WrestleMania or 34 or 35, there is absolutely no denying how popular a bout between the two former Bullet Club leaders would be. The story could revolve around both men wanting to prove they were always better than the other, stating they want the "cold war" of sorts between the two of them to end.
Styles could really bring Balor up to a whole new level, and whilst they are on separate brands there are a number of ways in which to make it work. It would thrust Finn into the spotlight coming off the back of his injury, and casual fans from Japan and other promotions around the world would converge on Orlando to witness a match between two of the best "indie" talents of all time.
If you gave them 20-25 minutes on the grandest stage of them all, the atmosphere would be electric. You could put the match anywhere on the card and the fans in attendance would eat it up, popping for every big move exchanged between the two. If you want heart, passion and a real history then this is the match for you.
#4 John Cena
Yes, as we all know John Cena is set to face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. However as we've seen on numerous occasions in the past, Vince enjoys a good rematch and there's every chance that the Elimination Chamber could set up another instalment of this feud.
The smart money is on “ Big Match John” to win his 16th world title in San Antonio, but you can never be too sure. A lot of people believe that Styles deserves to hold onto the strap, but either way, we're in for a good match. So that begs the question, why would we want to see it again at the Citrus Bowl?
Simply put - because it'll once again be tremendous. Plus if you add a stipulation to the ranks, it can be transformed into an entirely different bout. Whether it's no disqualification or a retirement match, adding that extra spice to an already legendary feud would give Cena-Styles at WM33 the extra push it needs.
#5 Samoa Joe
Because – come on, we all know Joe is coming up. The image of two former TNA talents standing across the ring from each other, in Orlando, at WrestleMania, is just astonishing. Whether or not it takes place is another matter entirely, but we all know just how good these guys are. No matter what the situation or standard of programming, they are able to consistently put on world class efforts regardless of who they are against.
They've been involved in some of the best matches of the last decade, and it's easy to see why. You could build a genuine heat between the two men with Joe saying he showed up in the company first, and that he deserves the spot AJ is currently in. Styles can respond by stating he's always been that little bit better than Joe, and from there the feud can explode.
Sneak attacks, having to be held apart - the whole nine yards. This rivalry is brimming with potential and given the right platform, hint: WrestleMania 33, these two men would knock it out of the park and bring a whole new meaning to the term "show stealer".
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