WWE WrestleMania 33: Pros and Cons of AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon

WWE.com

Pro: AJ Styles Having a Bad Match at WrestleMania? Come on

If you’ve followed AJ Styles since his WWE debut in 2016, he’s wrestled some of the company’s best matches. His three-match series with John Cena turned heads, including at the 2017 Royal Rumble. Even with fans thinking Roman Reigns “can’t wrestle,” these two put on two terrific showings at Extreme Rules and Payback 2016.

Here’s the issue — Shane McMahon is potentially at the bottom of opponents Styles has faced in marquee spots. He’s known for the “OMG” moments, like the Hell in a Cell jump at WrestleMania 32. Who’s to say the Phenomenal One can’t get something out of the SmackDown Commissioner, though?

McMahon’s match with an early 50’s Undertaker was slow and lethargic, having the Hell in a Cell jump as the biggest spot. It was also Shane’s first match in seven years. While he’s not going to carry a match, maybe with a year of getting back in shape and having already stepped into the ring twice, he can be led through a 15-minute singles contest.

The majority of the match can see Styles just beat down Shane, who will get a few bursts of moment. He can even counter a move at ringside and set up some wacky stunt that will have Mauro Ranallo screaming “Mamma Mia! Pizzeria!”

So maybe we’ll get a better-than-expected match out of Styles vs. McMahon at WrestleMania 33. It’s not like it can’t work, even with its flaws.