AJ Styles did it, everyone. He won the WWE World Championship Sunday night at Backlash much to the fans’ surprise. Styles was able to claim the biggest prize in pro wrestling only eight months into debuting with the company. Styles is indeed on a roll, from winning his feud with John Cena at SummerSlam to now being the top dog on Smackdown.
Even before his Championship win fans wondered how Styles’ run in WWE would play out. Dream matches have come to fruition and Styles has shown even the casual fans of WWE why he is the best wrestler in the world. The Phenomenal One is better than ever, and at thirty-nine he is on top of his game. He has had an incredible run in WWE, and it doesn’t look to slow down anytime soon. That should put many of his fans at ease, especially since many felt he could have faltered in the company.
Even though Styles is on Smackdown, there are still some good options for him now that he is the WWE World Champion. If Shelton Benjamin wasn’t injured, I would pay top dollar to see what my personal dream match could become. I mean, can you imagine? However, I was still able to figure out five potential opponents for The Face That Runs the Place. Anything can happen in WWE and never say never.
5: Dean Ambrose
I mean, this is a given. Ambrose will invoke his rematch clause at No Mercy, and these two had a great match at Backlash. Styles had Ambrose’s number, but if fans know anything about the Lunatic Fringe, it is that you don’t count him out of the game. Sunday night wasn’t Ambrose’s best night, but the two men could still have a good program if WWE should take that route.
Their game of getting the upper hand on each other is in Ambrose’s court. Ambrose will want to get back at Styles for literally stealing the Championship from him at Backlash.
4: Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler has sort of been on a roll since the brand extension as he has stayed in the Championship picture. Even though he hasn’t been successful at capturing any gold just yet, it doesn’t look that he will stop trying anytime soon. Ziggler and Styles faced off on the August 23rd edition of Smackdown in a great main event.
That match was a chance for Ziggler to be a part of that match at Backlash. Even though Ziggler lost, if he and Styles wrestled for the WWE World Championship the next match they may have would be even better. Ziggler can hang with Styles and the potential in endless in this match up.
3: Bray Wyatt
Now, this one is a complete wildcard. As of right now, this scenario has zero chance of happening. But if Styles’ role was reversed, Wyatt as his opponent would have huge potential. Granted, Wyatt is somewhere at a crossroads with his character. I’m not sure what his direction is since the brand extension.
It seems that Erick Rowan is still aligned with the Eater of the Worlds, and that would be a factor for sure. The scenario could work should Wyatt do a face turn, which has been teased for some time. I wouldn’t count on this happening, but don’t rule it out.
2: Randy Orton
This would be another excellent match. Orton vs Styles is also a dream match that would deliver on all accords. The promos and their wrestling styles coming together in a match could spell out amazing results. My inner fangirl is literally screaming as I type this out, no lie.
Orton as Styles’ opponent would indeed be a challenge for the Phenomenal One. While the No Mercy match has been set for Styles already, I wouldn’t mind seeing this match happening around WrestleMania season, or better yet in Orlando. That would be my preference with the WWE World Championship at stake.
1: John Cena
I know. You knew it was coming. As of Tuesday, it’s a triple threat match for the WWE World Championship at No Mercy between these two and Ambrose. I see Styles coming off with a win for this and possibly leading to Styles and Cena at Survivor Series. This will be the match where Cena will win over Styles and get his sixteenth Championship reign.
Once fans calmed down over Styles’ win, the realization for Cena’s oncoming historic reign set in. Their bout at SummerSlam was a hundred times better than their initial meet up at Money in the Bank. Surely fans don’t expect less when Cena and Styles meet one on one once more.
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