WWE WrestleMania 33: 8 Stars That May Not Get the Spot They Deserve
By Adam O'Brien
WWE.com
2. AJ Styles
The self-professed “face that runs the place” has been a blessing to the WWE – from the moment he burst onto the scene at the 2016 Royal Rumble, up until he almost went the distance against five of SmackDown Live’s best at Elimination Chamber.
His immense abilities both in and out of the ring have swayed many to name him as the WWE’s most valuable player of the last calendar year, and coming off of a thrilling WWE Championship reign, “The Phenomenal One” is one of few full-time stars on the roster virtually guaranteed to be in a high stakes match at WrestleMania.
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AJ Styles’ prevalence in Orlando, however, isn’t the issue. What strikes many as disheartening with regards to his second ‘Mania appearance is the suggested opponent he may find himself standing across the ring from; Shane McMahon.
We can’t stress enough that Shane McMahon is a class act – the man’s role in the WWE since his return last spring has seen some extraordinary moments for sure, and the commissioner of SmackDown Live would undoubtedly give it his all at WrestleMania regardless of the circumstances or the opponent.
But a match-up against an authority figure doesn’t sound like the emotionally-driven, passion-filled match that we would hope to expect from one of the company’s best overall performers at the biggest event in professional wrestling.
The story is going to be a serious reach – after all, if anyone should have management gripes on SmackDown Live, it’s The Miz – and AJ Styles doesn’t stand to gain a whole lot from the inevitable victory over the chairman’s son.
We know that with Bray Wyatt standing firmly as WWE Champion, and Randy Orton as the #1 contender to that very title, the blue brand’s main event scene may be a little too crowded for the inclusion of AJ Styles, unless of course, he wins next week’s No. 1 Contenders Battle Royal to determine Orton’s WrestleMania “replacement”.
If not, surely there are better options, with regards to both the story and the actual match – even if they have Styles take on a part-timer like The Undertaker – for AJ Styles to go head-to-head with at the 33rd annual extravaganza.