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The go-home episode of SmackDown before Backlash will feature a mouth-watering clash between Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles as the two in-ring veterans will try to win the prestigious WWE Intercontinental Championship. Bryan has won this title earlier in his career, but the Phenomenal One has never achieved the feat.
The build-up to Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles
WWE announced an eight-man tournament to crown a new Intercontinental Champion on the Blue brand after Sami Zayn's long absence. Seven Superstars from SmackDown and RAW's AJ Styles participated in the tourney. WWE later declared that Styles would stay on SmackDown permanently.
The Phenomenal One defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in the quarterfinals and accepted a bye in the next round to seal his berth in the final. On the other hand, Bryan beat his ally Drew Gulak and former rival Sheamus to advance to the finale. According to reports, WWE has already filmed the match, and it will exceed all expectations.
Here's a look at the five ways this bout can end.
#5 Drew Gulak assists Daniel Bryan to win against AJ Styles
This scenario is the least likely one. However, WWE can take this route to protect AJ Styles in defeat. A clean result would be best for business, but since the Intercontinental title will be on the line this Friday, Vince McMahon would like to have some outside interference in the bout.
Daniel Bryan needs a big win, and winning the Intercontinental Championship can help him regain his momentum. Besides, the rumor mill has suggested that Sami Zayn will come back soon and feud with the winner of this tournament. So, the rivalry between Bryan and Zayn could resume right after the tournament ends.
Also Read - 5 Things that could happen if Daniel Bryan wins the Intercontinental title
If Drew Gulak interferes in the tournament finale, WWE can book a rematch for the championship at Backlash. A match between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan with Gulak banned from the ringside area could be a fantastic addition to the show.
Styles and Bryan are two legendary wrestlers who create magic every time they step foot inside the ring. The YES! Man can defeat The Phenomenal One in an instant classic at Backlash and then shift his focus towards the returning Sami Zayn.
#4 AJ Styles beats Daniel Bryan clean
AJ Styles headed the SmackDown brand for almost three years after the 2016 brand extension. The Phenomenal One took the ratings of the show to the next level with some enthralling feuds. However, he could not continue his momentum on RAW as he lost most of his high-profile matches on the Red brand.
Perhaps, by bringing him back to the Blue brand, WWE has hinted that AJ Styles will receive a considerable push once again. He will continue to work as a heel, but he may win more matches now. The majority of the wrestling community believe that Styles is so good inside the ring that he can put on a 5-star match against a broom!
The company has pointed out that the Intercontinental Championship is the workhorse title. By winning the title, AJ Styles can restore the prestige of the Championship. He is an in-ring technician who can also cut brilliant promos. A clean victory over Daniel Bryan will establish him as one of the top heels on the Blue brand.
Besides, Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak could move to the tag team division if the former WWE Champion suffers a defeat this week. The New Day needs new opponents, and Daniel Bryan and his ally can fill up that vacant position in the tag team division for a brief period.
#3 Match ends in a double count-out; Last Man Standing match announced for Backlash
Even though WWE Backlash is shaping up as an exciting event, the company has only announced four matches for the show. Unlike the Money in the Bank event, there isn't any mega bout that would happen at this PPV. It was surprising to learn that Vince McMahon did not book the Intercontinental Championship tournament final for Backlash.
The Creative could have booked this match for SmackDown to increase their ratings. However, they can still delay the crowning of a new champion till Backlash. As per the rumor mill, this match was 'unbelievable'. Thus, there is a possibility that AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan would tear the house down in a marvelous one-on-one bout.
Ultimately, none of them would have the stamina even to stand up and answer the referee's ten counts. Since this is a tournament, the only credible way WWE can end this match without a proper result is through a double count-out.
The organization can then announce a dream 'Last Man Standing' match between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan for Backlash.
#2 Daniel Bryan beats AJ Styles clean
Daniel Bryan has featured in the Intercontinental Championship picture for a long time now. After Braun Strowman lost the title to Sami Zayn in March, Bryan entered the mid-card title scene and tried to dethrone the Canadian Superstar. He could not put away Zayn at WrestleMania 36, and The Underdog from the Underground has not appeared on WWE TV since then.
After the company took the title off Sami, the Creative team announced an eight-man tournament to crown a new champion. Daniel Bryan defeated his friend Drew Gulak in the first round, and did not accept a bye in the semifinals. Bryan urged the backstage officials to give him an opponent. Sheamus won a battle royal to earn that spot. However, The Celtic Warrior could not defeat Bryan.
This buildup has portrayed the former Intercontinental Champion as a hardworking Superstar, whose prime goal is to win the title in a just way. Looking at the way Daniel Bryan has performed on SmackDown, it would be fantastic if the backstage officials allow him to defeat AJ Styles clean in the middle of the ring.
Through this finish, they can establish Bryan as a worthy champion. Besides, they can move AJ Styles to any other storyline.
#1 Matt Riddle debuts; costs AJ Styles a win against Daniel Bryan
Kurt Angle announced Matt Riddle's promotion to SmackDown last Friday. The King of Bros had an excellent run in NXT, and the Creative will like to book him as a megastar on the Blue brand. Riddle has the talent to become the next top babyface of the show, but he needs credible opponents to gain popularity on the main roster.
AJ Styles is a perfect fit for the role of Riddle's first opponent. The rumor mill had indicated that Vince McMahon wished to put some upcoming stars over on RAW through AJ Styles. However, they moved him to the Blue brand. The Phenomenal One has accomplished almost everything in his career, and it would be great to have him perform the rumored role on SmackDown.
Daniel Bryan has been in the Intercontinental Championship picture for a long time and crowning him as the new champ seems to be the right decision. His history with Sami Zayn would make their feud much more exciting. Besides, AJ Styles vs. Matt Riddle is a dream feud that needs to happen as soon as possible.
Thus, WWE can plan a finish where Matt Riddle would interfere and somehow cost Styles a win over Daniel Bryan.
