WWE SmackDown Predictions: Becky Lynch Becomes #1 Contender

Credit: WWE.com

3. Daniel Bryan Mocks A.J. Styles Recent Attitude Change, But Pays For It

“The New” Daniel Bryan seems primarily concerned with 3 things: protecting the environment, defending his WWE Championship, and putting A.J. Styles through hell.

Bryan has done an exceptional job at all 3 in recent weeks, with multiple speeches about the environment coinciding with vicious sneak attacks on his recently-named challenger at Royal Rumble.

This week, I expect Bryan to continue this trend by cutting a promo mocking the more intense attitude we’ve seen from Styles lately.

This should result in Styles hitting the ring, not to defend himself on the mic like he used to, but to immediately start trading fists with the reigning champ. Ultimately, this leads to a hasty retreat from Bryan who now must ponder what this darker version of Styles could mean for his odds at Royal Rumble.

Eventually, we knew we were going to need to see how Styles’ recent interactions with Vince McMahon would be incorporated into his feud with Daniel Bryan, so this week should serve as the perfect starting point for the two angles to tie together.

In the coming weeks before Royal Rumble, it will be very interesting to see whether or not McMahon takes a step back from getting in Styles’ head, especially if Styles brings the fight to Bryan this week, or if McMahon continues to ramp up the mind games.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this angle is the most intriguing storyline WWE has going right now, and I can’t wait to see where it ends up.