5 Things that can happen to AJ Styles and The O.C. after Gallows and Anderson's WWE release

The WWE releases of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have rightfully stunned the WWE Universe. The Superstars player a part in one of the two main events of WrestleMania 36 not too long ago and no one would have expected the company to cut them off.

The departures have now raised various questions regarding the future of The O.C. and AJ Styles.

AJ Styles can't be a one-man stable as such a thing doesn't even exist.

So what will the company do with the Phenomenal One now that his best buddies have unfortunately been shown the door?

There are various ways that the WWE can utilize AJ Styles and make the best out of the grim situation. In this article, we'll take a look at the future possibilities for AJ Styles in the aftermath of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson's WWE release.

---

#5 Replacements for Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson in The O.C.

So should WWE just erase O.C. from existence? Acting like nothing ever happened would be WWE's way of doing things, however, AJ Styles' faction has potential and the company may not give up on it just yet.

A faction is a tried-and-tested way to put over new Superstars. The Shield is the perfect example. Andrade, Angel Garza and Austin Theory's new alliance fit the model too.

WWE can ideally replace Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson with two fresh faces with the idea that they get elevated by being in AJ Styles' presence.

There are plenty of talents in NXT who will benefit from being paired with AJ Styles.

We'd even like to see Styles get established names into his faction. Samoa Joe, Randy Orton and AJ Styles would make one heck of a Super Stable. However, O.C. was built on the idea of AJ Styles being the big star while Gallows and Anderson were his lackeys from the tag team division.

How does the idea of Cedric Alexander and Ricochet turning heel to join The O.C. sound?

There are, of course, countless possibilities that WWE can explore if they wish to keep the stable alive.

AJ Styles is expected to be out for a while as he was technically buried alive which gives WWE the time to cook something up for the Phenomenal One's possible new-look faction.

#4 Gets pushed into the WWE title picture

Seth Rollins was revealed as Drew McIntyre's first WWE title challenger and we're sure the two Superstars will tear the house down even if it's an empty one.

McIntyre retaining the WWE title in his feud against Rollins is also a given and will be done to make the Scottish Psychopath a credible champion. WWE will need to put him up against high-calibre opponents after wrapping up the angle with Rollins.

AJ Styles is the answer!

The 2-time WWE Champion will be an ideal opponent for McIntyre after he gets done with The Monday Night Messiah.

While Styles somehow finds a way to return from the dead, Rollins and McIntyre, in the meantime, can have an entertaining WWE title program.

WWE may get Styles back for the Money in the Bank ladder match and he could even win the briefcase for all we know.

However, a well-planned storyline between McIntyre and Styles can give the WWE Champion a potential 5-star match, which will legitimatise his championship reign.

McIntyre and Styles have never faced each other in a singles match and that's a show-stealer of a bout if WWE can have it in front of a live audience.

#3 AJ Styles becomes Seth Rollins' disciple

Yes, you read that right and upon further thought, it does sound like an intriguing prospect on paper.

Seth Rollins' cult-like faction has been depleted in numbers due to AOP and Buddy Murphy being taken off TV. While Murphy is expected to be back soon, Rollins needs more followers to support his character and AJ Styles would be a very unique option.

Styles is currently dead in kayfabe terms and he would be a man reborn once he returns to TV. We could see a scared, more vulnerable Styles once he comes back, a man who would need the guidance of a leader. The delusional Monday Night Messiah can enter the fray and exploit Styles' weaknesses.

It would be odd yet refreshingly engaging to see Styles under the spell of Rollins' delusional commands.

It could all lead to a face turn for Styles somewhere down the line and a blow-off match between the two former Ring of Honor stalwarts.

We would also get to see a different side of AJ Styles that the fans have not seen in the WWE.

#2 Returns to SmackDown

SmackDown is the house that AJ Styles built and that's a fact no one would argue against.

AJ Styles may not have been a World Champion in the WWE had it not been for his time on the blue brand.

Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue had reported a while back that he'd heard whispers of AJ Styles possibly heading back to SmackDown in the next Superstar Shakeup.

The ongoing pandemic has naturally forced WWE to delay a full-blown shake-up, but whenever it does happen, Styles is one of the favourites to be re-signed by the Blue Brand.

Styles is more comfortable on the blue side of things and he can even pursue the two major singles titles that he is yet to win on the main roster- the Intercontinental and Universal Championships.

With Gallows and Anderson out of the picture, WWE needs to hit the reset button with Styles and sending him back to SmackDown - his familiar player grounds - would be a productive way to utilize him. There are many fresh feuds that can be booked on SmackDown and each one of them can produce great matches with Styles involved.

The Undertaker recently said that Styles can put on a four-star match with a broom handle and that should tell you all about the in-ring genius of AJ.

#1 Goes to NXT

If Charlotte Flair can be sent to NXT, then so can AJ Styles.

The move makes sense on so many levels. WWE needs a big-name Superstar to counter the AEW threat and we can't think of a better name than the Phenomenal One.

Styles is a certified draw who will surely help boost the ratings of NXT every week. The matches and storylines that can be booked in NXT featuring Styles are mouthwatering, to say the least.

We wouldn't mind seeing Styles and Balor form NXT's version of the Bullet Club. We also won't mind seeing Styles take on the likes of Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Matt Riddle, Keith Lee and the countless other talents that are featured on the Black and Gold brand. We've already seen a preview of what can happen if Styles was to shift to NXT during the build-up to the last Survivor Series PPV. A full-time move could produce magic!

A potential NXT Championship reign for Styles would be the icing on the cake, which could help NXT get an edge over AEW during the Wednesday Night Wars.

Of course, we're not sure whether Vince McMahon would allow one of his top Superstars from the main roster to make a move to NXT but he has made exceptions in Charlotte Flair and Finn Balor's cases and the same can happen with AJ Styles.

---

What do you think? What should WWE do with AJ Styles without Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson by his side?