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AJ Styles' second reign as WWE Champion ended in an appalling fashion as the 371-days reign ended in a shocking heel turn by Daniel Bryan.
A wrestler adored by many top hardcore wrestling fans who never main evented a dual-branded PPV still stole the show by producing breath-taking matches in his title defenses. His 2nd championship reign ended as the 4th longest reign in the modern era, next to CM Punk's 434-day reign.
As per reports, AJ Styles pushed the idea of dropping the title to Bryan due to his new contract with WWE where he wants a 3-year reduced schedule with fewer house shows, but WWE wants him to sign a 5-year full-time schedule contract.
The streak of working 32 consecutive PPVs by AJ Styles ended as AJ was booked to face Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2018. However, with AJ requiring more 'family time' in his upcoming journey in WWE, the script probably changed in the dying stages of Survivor Series.
After the dream match versus Shinsuke Nakamura in WrestleMania 34, AJ's character probably got a bit staler as he defended his title against Nakamura, Rusev, and Samoa Joe consecutively. After the brand split in 2016, AJ Styles carried SmackDown Live as a main-card wrestler with his exhilarating feuds and championship reigns.
SmackDown Live is still known as 'The House That AJ Styles Built'. However, a move to Monday nights could possibly uplift AJ Styles' career in the WWE.
#5 It won't affect SmackDown Live's viewership
SmackDown Live has had the tag-line of 'The Land of Opportunities' for a couple of years, and has countless reasons to justify the tag-line. One out of many reasons is because the authority figures have less involvement in the storylines, whereas RAW is still stuck in storylines involving disputes with the authority.
SmackDown Live has a lot of superstars in their line-up who are championship worthy. While SmackDown fans desire to see The Miz, Samoa Joe, Andrade 'Cien' Almas and even possibly Finn Bálor (who could move to SmackDown after the next Superstar Shake-up), RAW would probably need someone who can carry the main-eventer status after Roman Reigns' departure due to illness.
SmackDown Live can still grab views with a new face that runs the place. Even when they decided to push Jinder Mahal from a low carder to WWE title holder, the ratings didn't see any sort of decline. Fans thoroughly enjoyed the feud between Mahal and Randy Orton, being pretty much happy with the booking.
With the creative taking bold risks in their storylines repeatedly, SmackDown Live still have a plethora of talents who produce high quality matches. Thus, it shouldn't hinder their viewership at all.
#4 RAW can gain its 'flagship' show reputation back
If AJ moves to RAW, lets assume after WrestleMania 35, he won't need many feuds to progress towards the Intercontinental/Universal title picture. RAW desperately needs a champion who can perform as the face on a continuous note.
AJ's inclusion allows the low-carders to put up a great match and extend their viewership. For instance, feuding with Bobby Roode/pairing up with him as a tag team allows Bobby to gain high-quality booking.
Since WWE is planning a mega push for Drew McIntyre in 2019, what better way than to have a feud between 'face' Styles and 'heel' McIntyre? They both have the calibre to put on an instant classic inside the ring, and can cut good promos before the match as well.
The storylines of RAW mostly revolve around Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Braun Strowman, and Brock Lesnar as the main event. Adding AJ Styles to the card will allow them to shatter headlines and prove RAW to be the 'A' show in the days to come.
#3 He'll main-event PPVs after aligning with RAW
One half of The Dudley Boyz, now known as Bully Ray Dudley, recently was asked why AJ Styles never main events a PPV.
“When [WWE knows] there is a match that will steal the show, but they don’t want that match to overshadow any other match, they put it in the middle of the show,” he explained.
That is what AJ Styles carries in his arsenal. His in-ring competitiveness to his aerial maneuvers, his charismatic and natural wrestling, to his star power, AJ Styles has the ability to make his opponents look fierce inside the ring.
The last time AJ Styles main evented a PPV was Fastlane 2017, a SmackDown Live PPV. Almost every hardcore wrestling fan would admit, AJ Styles deserves main event status in WWE on a continuous basis. Ever since the dual-branded PPVs began, RAW superstars usually main event.
AJ's move to RAW will allow WWE to gain great finishes to exhilarating PPVs. It's like cherry on top of a cake!
#2 A plethora of dream matches fans want to see
AJ Styles is a dream opponent for many superstars due to his ability to tear up the ring with his opponent. He is the 2nd best merchandise seller in the WWE as his charisma is phenomenally high, and he has been on a great run ever since his arrival in 2016.
While AJ has given us classics versus John Cena, Roman Reigns, Finn Bálor, and even Brock Lesnar who isn't much of a good seller of moves, AJ Styles is yet to face Drew McIntyre, Kurt Angle, Seth Rollins, and Braun Strowman in a 1 vs 1 match in WWE.
Ignoring the rumours that Seth Rollins would probably move to SmackDown Live after WrestleMania 35, AJ Styles vs Seth Rollins could possibly headline the next SummerSlam if booked accordingly. Imagining AJ's phenomenal forearm to Seth's phoenix splash is entertaining in every way possible.
Also, top stars from NXT, namely - Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano, could move to RAW due to the brand dominance. AJ Styles would be the very first feud to enhance their careers on the main show.
#1 AJ Styles as WWE Universal Champion
AJ Styles has done everything on SmackDown Live. He has won both the US Championship and the WWE Championship, and has held both like a true fighting champion. To be honest, AJ Styles has nothing much to do on SmackDown Live.
The Universal Championship headlines PPVs most often, and AJ can single-handedly drive the newly established legacy of the Universal Championship and make it the top title.
Many casual and hardcore fans desperately require the Universal Champion to make appearances week after week. Ever since WWE put the title back on Brock Lesnar, fans have been aggressive regarding their 'part-timing' champion.
No doubt, it'll take a lot of feuds beforehand as Vince McMahon has superior control over RAW and desires big beastly superstars to be the face of Monday nights. Therefore putting the title on AJ Styles will shatter the glass ceiling. Nonetheless, RAW would be exciting to watch once again!
