Did AJ Styles and Shane McMahon Just Set Up Their WrestleMania 33 Match?

Following Tuesday’s episode of WWE SmackDown, AJ Styles showed his frustrations with Shane McMahon.

AJ Styles had been around the WWE Championship No. 1 contendership picture for nearly one month. It started with Elimination Chamber and continued onto SmackDown, as he tied with Luke Harper in a battle royal to face Bray Wyatt for the title, and then beat Harper one week later. However, Styles still had to go through another match to get to Wyatt at WrestleMania 33.

Well, on Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, the Phenomenal One lost to Randy Orton in the main event. Orton will go to WrestleMania to compete for the WWE Championship.

After the show went off the air, WWE uploaded a clip of Styles going ballistic backstage. He targeted his rage toward Shane McMahon, saying “Is that what you call opportunity out there?” He then lashed out and had to be restrained by the likes of Brian “Road Dogg” James and Michael “P.S.” Hayes.

We’ve noted the Wrestling Observer report that Styles vs. McMahon would be part of the WrestleMania 33 match card before, and it seems this video above will set it up. Frustrations with management had been teased by the former NJPW star over the past few weeks too on Talking Smack.

With the WrestleMania matches for the Blue Brand having quickly developed (Orton vs. Wyatt, Cena in a mixed tag match, Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin), this is one of the last remaining avenues for Styles. It’s an interesting move putting him with someone who’s an attraction, but far from dynamic in the ring and mostly known for his “OMG” moments. Styles can get a good match out of anyone, however, so maybe this will work.

Next: WWE SmackDown Review, March 7

With three more episodes of SmackDown to go, expect this match to be confirmed for WrestleMania. Are you looking forward to it?