WWE: 5 Likely reasons why Kurt Angle is facing AJ Styles in his final SmackDown match 

Man, what a blockbuster match WWE has just announced for SmackDown Live. Kurt Angle has been on a tear of late, as part of his farewell tour. He's faced the likes of Chad Gable and Apollo Crews, leading to his final match at WrestleMania 3. This match is against Baron Corbin, a man who's been a constant thorn at his side.

But before that, much to the delight of the WWE Universe, Kurt Angle and AJ Styles will lock horns. Both of these men are incredible ring generals and have paved the way for many others to follow in their footsteps. In many ways, this is a much bigger dream match than Angle vs. Corbin is.

Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts about this match. For my part, I'm going to analyse why Kurt Angle, a RAW superstar is going to SmackDown Live in the first place.

Also, whom do you see winning this big match?

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#5 The negative backlash to Angle vs. Baron Corbin

Purely from a storyline perspective, it does make sense for Angle to pick Corbin as his final opponent. He wants to vanquish the man who's caused him so much pain and hurt during his recent RAW stint as the General Manager. In many ways, Corbin is the reason why Angle isn't General Manager anymore.

But the audience isn't buying it at all, to be quite honest. The WWE Universe has been extremely outspoken about how Corbin vs. Angle is not a match they want to see and how they'd prefer John Cena in that particular position.

This match may just have been made to make the fans happy. And why wouldn't they be because the match will be pretty, pretty good!

At least, that's what I think.

#4 Their incredible matches in TNA

Many feel that Kurt Angle had his best matches not while he was in WWE, but back when he was in TNA. During that stint, Kurt Angle lost the trademark goofiness that had become his thing in WWE and became a serious professional wrestler that we came to know and love for the quality of his matches. He locked horns with AJ Styles on a variety of occasions.

Having worked with both companies for the last few years, I know that things are the best they've ever been right now. I mean clips from the Global Wrestling Network are used on the WWE Network right now, as part of quite a few WWE specials. Because so many people have come from TNA to WWE, the WWE brass has relaxed their stance on Impact Wrestling.

One assumes that those backstage in WWE are now aware of the clashes that Styles had with Angle, while they were both in TNA. Based on their chemistry, this big match was made.

#3 He was one of the men who helped create the SmackDown brand

Modern viewers may know Kurt Angle as the RAW General Manager. What they may not know is that he was one of the men who helped build the SmackDown brand from the ground up and make it what it is right now.

In fact, WWE even alluded to it in their official announcement. This is what they had to say:

Angle has long been a cornerstone of the SmackDown brand and will undoubtedly create one last classic moment against The Phenomenal One. Watch as history is made this Tuesday night at 8/7 C on USA Network.

Angle was drafted to the SmackDown brand in 2002 and stayed on the blue brand until 2005. He had memorable and unforgettable matches with the likes of Edge, Brock Lesnar and Booker T as part of the brand.

Some can call SmackDown the brand that Kurt Angle built and not be too far off the mark.

#2 To advance the Styles-Orton storyline

Now, here is my assessment and there's a big chance that I'll be completely off the mark with my hypothesis. But Kurt Angle has been winning all of the matches in his retirement tour, and he will keep winning everything until he reaches WrestleMania 35. But then will they let him defeat a star like AJ Styles clean?

I think not because Styles is going into one of the biggest matches of his career against Randy Orton. I believe that Orton will cause a distraction during the match that allows Angle to pick up a win. And this will further the Styles vs. Orton feud and allow the two men to build towards WrestleMania.

Orton and Styles did have a pretty fiery promo segment in the ring on SmackDown Live recently. But somehow their match hasn't had the build one would have expected for two stars of their massive magnitude.

#1 Angle has always been wanting to face AJ Styles in WWE

So when this match was first announced it reminded me of a news piece I'd written some time ago for Sportskeeda. Kurt Angle loves to interact with his fans and answer the questions they may have for him. He does this through his Facebook page. One such fan had asked him his thoughts about 'The Phenomenal One'.

Kurt Angle was all praises for AJ Styles during the Q&A. This is what he had to say:

AJ is the best today. He's the standard. He sets the bar very high. I had some of my best matches with AJ. Maybe one more?

It is abundantly clear that this is a match that Kurt Angle has wanted and by all indications, he's been pushing for it backstage, during his retirement tour. Why deny the legend a chance to go out on a high note?

Leave a comment and share your thoughts, folks.