3 merits and 1 demerit of AJ Styles vs Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens

The major question of who would challenge AJ Styles next was finally answered last week, with a confusing stipulation to a World title match announced. Daniel Bryan's decision to make AJ Styles defend his title in a handicap match was met with mixed reactions from the WWE Universe.

The ongoing storyline of KO and Sami revolting against the new "Authority" has been a decent and intriguing angle. No one still knows what the endgame of this feud will be, and hence it has received praise for its tightly woven complexity.

We look at this feud involving some of the best talents on Smackdown Live.

Merit #1: The Underdog from the Underground finally gets his opportunity

Sami Zayn in World Title contention is one helluva a decision

Sami Zayn's inconsistent booking, despite his spectacular performances, have angered the WWE Universe for quite some time now. His heel turn was met with a huge surprise reaction by the fans, and many doubted his ability to make it work.

However, Sami Zayn has shown terrific versatility, playing the dorky heel to perfection. His team-up with Kevin Owens has led to him pinning the WWE Champion and receiving a shot at the most prestigious title.

Sami Zayn is finally getting his due and we could not be happier.

Demerit #1: Too much authority?

Shane and Bryan are taking too much spotlight, aren't they?

Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens have been engrossed in a rivalry since last June. An astonishing six months have passed since they both first started their feud, and the constant Shane O'Mac appearances are not making fans any happier.

Authority figures having their consistent bickering on RAW every week did not go down well with the fans, and a similar story could unfold on SDL. Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon are two of the most over babyfaces and hence their involvement doesn't feel too bad, but for how long?

Let's hope the three talented superstars are given a proper match at the PPV and not one which is filled with the Authorities interfering countless times.

Merit #2: The most complex thing going on currently in WWE

WWE writers are often labeled as lazy and receive flak for dishing out repetitive stories. However, the whole saga unfolding on Smackdown Live has its own share of complexities. KO and Sami hate everyone, Daniel Bryan loves them, Shane hates KO\Sami and doesn't like Bryan for supporting them, Styles is showing dissent towards Bryan and Shane for letting KO and Sami get away with their antics.

With the Wrestlemania season right around the corner, many possibilities for the end game of the feud are being thrown up. Could Bryan's constant support of Owens and Sami lead to him facing Shane at Wrestlemania? Could Styles be the one to bring Bryan out of retirement for a major dream match at WM?

Talk about unpredictability!

Merit #3: Breakup on the cards?

Is another Festival of Friendship on the cards?

We have seen Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad fanatics make up their own fan theories in the past about the storylines on the show. In a similar way, a fan theory says that Bryan's decision to pair up KO and Sami for a match against Styles could be a brilliant way of ending their friendship.

Owens is known to turn on his friends a lot in WWE, and Bryan could've hit the right note with his decision. Sami and Owens' friendship could reach its boiling point at Royal Rumble, and lead to a Wrestlemania match between the two long-time rivals.

Sami vs Owens is a rivalry which demands a Wrestlemania match someday, and this could be the best opportunity to do it.