WWE TLC 2017 Predictions: Will AJ Styles Defeat Finn Balor?

Singles Match: AJ Styles vs Finn Balor

What originally was another match in the excruciatingly painful, never-ending, god-awful Finn Balor/Bray Wyatt feud, a match where both men were going to play their alter-egos, is now a match that has WWE fans mouths watering. Make no mistake, this a dream match and one that even though there is no background for, should still be absolutely amazing. Balor and Styles quite simply are two of the best pro wrestling talents on earth and have been so for a very long time. Two men who found a tremendous amount of success long before their WWE days, Balor and Styles have parlayed that success into becoming world champions as part of the WWE roster. Now they do battle in a WWE ring.

This pairing has only been in the ring together one other time. They competed in a six-man tag match at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom II back in 2008 with Styles side notching the victory. The idea that these two men have never wrestled each other can be explained through timing. Balor left NJPW in March of 2014 just two months before Styles left TNA for Japan. Had their paths crossed, this match would’ve been a no-brainer. Luckily the WWE now has the opportunity to produce this.

So who’s going to win? Well, for one, the fans. They get to see what is right now at least, a once in a lifetime type match, as opposed to two guys wrestling dressed in Halloween costumes like Balor and Wyatt were originally subjected to. Smart money is on Styles. He looks to be the next in line for Jinder Mahal after “The Maharaja’s” potential showdown with Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series. The right move would be to make him look strong. But on the other hand, a win for Balor would put the Universal title directly in his cross-hairs. This is another toss up, but I’m taking Styles in what should be an instant classic.

Winner: AJ Styles