5 potential challengers for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble

With the Jinder Mahal experiment seemingly over, there are now only a handful of superstars good enough to be chosen as the number one contender for A. J. Styles's WWE Championship. Lets take a look at which routes the WWE could take at the upcoming Royal Rumble event.

#5 Baron Corbin

Will we see Corbin vs Styles?

Baron Corbin has had a very interesting year.

Since trying and failing to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase, his booking has been very haphazard, one minute beating A. J. Styles clean and then the next being pinned by Dolph Ziggler.

A post-match interview at Clash Of Champions seems to portray Corbin as growing more and more frustrated. Hopefully this will lead to him being the monster heel he could easily be. He could use the fact that he beat A. J. Styles clean a few months ago to muscle his way into a title match at the Rumble, another match he will, in all probability, come up short in.

#4 Dolph Ziggler

Will Ziggler get his shot at the big one?

Last night on Smackdown Live, Dolph Ziggler did the unthinkable and seemingly relinquished the United States Championship, and walked out of the WWE.

With all of the talks about his contract expiring, this could all be a ruse to get people talking. After all, creative love to blur the lines between story-line and reality at the moment.

I, however, have a feeling that there is something bigger at work here. Perhaps Ziggler will say he is above mid card titles and offer up his career in exchange for a WWE Title match. This way he will either finally win the big one or fade away to finally be properly repackaged.

He could even go out on a high with a programme with Styles. Having retired at the hands of the Phenomenal One is a great way for the former WWE Champion to end his 13-year stint with the company.

#3 Bobby Roode

The Royal Rumble could be GLORIOUS!!

Bobby Roode has not really set the world on fire, like how most expected him to, since his arrival on the main roster. This is mainly because he is much better at playing the egotistical heel. Due, however, to a very popular entrance, creative have opted to bring him up as a babyface and seem to be sticking to the plan.

Also, as we have seen lately, the WWE is not afraid to do 'heel vs heel' and 'face vs face' encounters. With this in mind, do not be surprised if Bobby Roode wins a number one contender's match and puts on a great match with A. J. Styles at the Rumble. I do not think it is his time to carry the brand yet, but a good showing against the Phenomenal One would be a good stepping stone.

#2 Randy Orton

Could the Viper slither his way to a title match?

The viper has also had a roller coaster of a year but is still being booked pretty strongly in the grand scheme of things.

To be honest, the title match at the Royal Rumble is usually just a glorified filler match with the champion usually retaining, if history is anything to go by. What better way to fill the spot than by putting on a match between the still reasonably fresh pairing of Orton vs Styles, which in many ways is a dream match.

Rumour has it that Orton will be taking a break soon and with his character growing stale, now is probably the best time. What better way to put a cap on this run than to put over A. J. Styles and return rejuvenated as the heel he always plays better?

#1 Sami Zayn

Could Sami step up?

Sami Zayn and A. J. Styles have yet to cross paths on Smackdown Live. However, out of all the options on the list, this could easily be the best match-up.

Perhaps Daniel Bryan can cause further tension at the top of Smackdown by putting Sami Zayn in a number one contender's match that he finds a way to win. This would further drive a wedge between Bryan and Shane while also giving Sami a chance to shine on one of the biggest stages. A win-win.

Kevin Owens vs Styles has happened one too many times this year so it could be time for the 'underdog from the underground' to step up and put on what could be an instant classic.

Although most title matches at the Rumble are fillers, there have been some real classics in the past years. This year could be one of those years.

If you have someone else in mind to go up against Styles, feel free to sound off in the comments below.