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What’s the Story?
SmackDown Live will kick off 2018 with a non-title match between Sami Zayn and WWE Champion AJ Styles.
In Case You Didn’t Know
Styles faced Kevin Owens on the last SmackDown of 2017. The Phenomenal One nearly won the match, but interference from Commissioner Shane McMahon inadvertently cost Styles the match.
The Heart of the Matter
The following is the press release WWE published regarding the looming match between the Phenomenal One and the former NXT Champion:
“WWE Champion AJ Styles and Sami Zayn will square off in a non-title match on SmackDown LIVE this Tuesday night. The battle marks the first time these two Superstars will battle one-on-one on the blue brand, though these two have been no strangers to one another in recent weeks.
When the two match combatants last crossed paths, The Phenomenal One found his name in the loss column after a distraction by Zayn led Kevin Owens to a shocking victory on the final SmackDown LIVE of 2017. The result left Zayn & Owens celebrating on the entrance ramp while Styles engaged in a testy confrontation with SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon.”
Zayn and Styles first encountered each other back in PWG for The Ernest P. Worrell Memorial show in 2005 where Zayn as El Generico wrestled Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Kevin Owens as Kevin Steen in a Four-Way Dance.
Zayn and Styles’ have only had one singles match to date on April 11, 2016, when Zayn fought Styles for the right to be added to his match with Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship at Payback.
What’s Next?
Also announced for the first SmackDown of 2018 is the SmackDown Tag Team Championship match between The Usos and Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin.
Author’s Take
Zayn and Styles had a fun singles match back in 2016 and their second match will likely be just as good if not better.
