AJ Styles, Source: WWE.com
AJ Styles is looking to regain the WWE World Championship on Sunday at Elimination Chamber and should win.
AJ Styles had one of the best first years in WWE history. From his debut in the 2016 Royal Rumble until today, he’s been a fixture in the main event scene. His most notable accomplishment was a several month long reign as WWE World Champion.
However, The Phenomenal One fell short at this year’s Royal Rumble. He lost the title to John Cena in a historic bout. With Elimination Chamber looming – and a world title match inside the structure — Styles is keen to regain the championship.
Besides Cena, Styles has four other opponents — Dean Ambrose, Baron Corbin, Bray Wyatt, and The Miz. Everyone will be looking to punch their ticket to WrestleMania, and a chance to defend the title against Randy Orton. And, everyone has some kind of claim to being the favorite in the match.
But Styles is in a league of his own. He has put on stellar match after stellar match in his young WWE career. Becoming a two-time WWE World Champion and defending the title at WrestleMania is the kind of thing that goes a long way.
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It’s possible that AJ Styles could win at Elimination Chamber. But the question is should he win?
Here are three reasons why AJ Styles should win at Elimination Chamber.
3. Easy Transition to Fit Alignments
Recently, AJ Styles went on record as saying he needed to “be better about being the bad guy.” If he wins at Elimination Chamber, he may not need to do that.
Since attacking John Cena back in the spring/summer, AJ has been the top bad guy on SmackDown. But he’s also been one of the most popular superstars in WWE, which is why he said he needs to up his heel game.
With Randy Orton guaranteed to be in the WWE Championship match by virtue of winning the Royal Rumble, the most likely winner would need to be a “good guy.” Orton isn’t turning away from the dark side anytime soon, especially if he’s still a part of the Wyatt Family.
But the likelihood of getting either Cena or Dean Ambrose — the only babyfaces in the Chamber match – to face Orton at WrestleMania is slim to none. There are other things for them in the near future besides world title matches.
Of the remaining participants, Styles makes the most sense to be a contrast to Orton — his natural popularity makes him much more of a tweener than either Miz, Baron Corbin, or Bray Wyatt.
Being somewhat of a chameleon in terms of crowd response is a great thing for Styles, because he can fit any situation in which he’s needed.
2. Clear Direction for WrestleMania
If AJ Styles doesn’t win at Elimination Chamber, what does he do at WrestleMania? The card is getting pretty full, even for a 4-5 hour show, and spots are becoming scarce.
If we start looking at confirmed matches, as well as heavily rumored and likely matches, there’s seven bouts already set:
- Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar
- Big Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal
- Triple H vs. Seth Rollins (if Rollins is healthy)
- Undertaker vs. ??? (likely Roman Reigns)
- Randy Orton vs. WWE Champion
- Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
- Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho
That doesn’t take into account the somewhat traditional multi-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship, any tag team matches, or any women’s matches. There are a few other matches rumored (John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse, for one), but these are the major ones.
In recent years, there have been between 7-9 matches on the main card, and 1-3 on the kickoff show. Let’s say that the above matches, plus an Intercontinental Title match, one tag match, one women’s match, and the mixed tag match are official. That’s 11 matches already, and the card is basically full.
Where does Styles end up if he’s not the WWE Champion? Could he face Undertaker instead of Roman Reigns? Probably not; that match is already being teased. Would AJ be in the battle royal, or the Intercontinental Championship match? It would be a slap in the face to someone who has carried SmackDown since the draft to be relegated to something like that.
A spot in the WWE Championship match is the best way to give the best wrestler in the company a clear path to a WrestleMania match.
1. An Actual Fresh Matchup
Quick, how many times have Randy Orton and AJ Styles wrestled each other in WWE? Time’s up – the answer is zero.
Yes, Orton and Styles have never met in a WWE ring — or any ring, for that matter. With The Viper waiting in the wings to challenge the WWE Champion at WrestleMania, why not make it a never before seen match?
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So many of the other options are played out or just plain unappealing, none more so than Orton vs. Cena. And while Baron Corbin vs. Randy Orton may also be a fresh match, AJ Styles is a much more intriguing encounter.
One of the big knocks on Randy Orton has always been that he lacks motivation and is easily disinterested. Well, there’s no better way to pique his interest than to pair him off with Styles for a world title match. AJ is one of the best in the world, so of course, Orton would want to prove that he can hang with him. Put that match on the WrestleMania stage, and it becomes even bigger.
Let’s not forget that The Phenomenal One’s moveset lends itself tremendously to a possible RKO from outta nowhere. Can you picture a Phenomenal Forearm being countered into the RKO? Or better yet, the springboard 450 splash? It would be a highlight for the ages – but only if Styles wins at Elimination Chamber.
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Do you think AJ Styles should win at Elimination Chamber?