3 Reasons Why Daniel Bryan’s Heel Turn Was The Right Move

3. AJ Styles’ Reign Was Running Its Course

When AJ Styles won the WWE Championship from Jinder Mahal last November, no one predicted that The Phenomenal One would last a full year as SmackDown’s head honcho.

Styles toppled the likes of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens en route to a WrestleMania match with Royal Rumble winner, Shinsuke Nakamura. Given Nakamura’s new wave of momentum after his previous failures to capture the WWE Championship, it appeared likely that the King of Strong Style would be crowned champion at WrestleMania. That didn’t happen.

Instead, a whopping four rematches—two being draws and one being a non-title victory for Nakamura—took place between the former New Japan stars. A decisive victory at Money in the Bank allowed Styles to conclude the rivalry with his championship intact.

Styles eventually crossed paths with Samoa Joe, creating a heated matchup for SummerSlam. The initially fresh pairing—WWE-wise—was also driven into the ground with rematches at Hell In A Cell, Super Show-Down and Crown Jewel.

With Joe, Nakamura and others dispatched, it would’ve taken a while to build up other credible challengers—save for maybe The Miz—against AJ Styles. Bryan as a face would’ve likely had to battle similar challengers but now that he is a heel, the conversation for contenders is wide open.