WWE Royal Rumble 2019: Full Confirmed Card and Match Predictions

WWE Championship Match: Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles

While WWE claimed during the beginnings of this “fresh start” that rematch clauses would be gone, no one seemed to get the memo to AJ Styles. In a thrilling Fatal 5-Way that included Rey Mysterio, Mustafa Ali, Randy Orton, and Samoa Joe, it was “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles who emerged victorious and earned another shot at WWE Champion Daniel Bryan.

While he came up short in their match at TLC, this could be an even more dangerous AJ Styles. Backstage on SmackDown Live the week before AJ earned this shot, he was confronted by Vince McMahon. In a heated moment, Vince verbally berated him about not having the aggression that was needed. AJ snapped and popped Vince with a stiff punch.

It was a single strike, but it sent a powerful message. AJ Styles is dangerous when pushed over the edge, and that’s exactly what he is right now. After losing the WWE Championship to Daniel Bryan despite an otherwise spectacular 2018, “The House that AJ Styles Built” doesn’t belong to him anymore.

Instead, we’ve seen stars like Daniel Bryan and Becky Lynch become the top talent on the brand while AJ Styles has fallen by the wayside. Vince McMahon has reminded him of that pitbull instinct that helped AJ become champion in the first place, and now all bets are off for the Royal Rumble.

AJ Styles could be as dangerous as ever, but he’s also up against the most calculated version of Daniel Bryan we’ve ever seen. “The New” Daniel Bryan has forsaken his beloved fans and the “Yes Movement” in favor of a new mentality that’s seen him do absolutely anything to walk out with a win. He’s also more vicious than ever, which is why this could be a truly special match from two of the best wrestlers in the world.

While Daniel Bryan has been going strong, this looks like a moment where AJ Styles will feel that killer instinct and take back his championship. I’m going with AJ Styles, but I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest to see Daniel Bryan find a way to escape with his title.

Prediction: AJ Styles