WWE SmackDown Predictions: Bayley revisits an old rival
By Mark Justice
3.) AJ Styles (c) vs. Drew Gulak (w/Daniel Bryan) [Intercontinental Championship]
Four weeks ago on SmackDown, Drew Gulak defeated AJ Styles before Styles went on to win the Intercontinental Championship in a stellar match with Daniel Bryan. Because of this victory, he prematurely received the next championship opportunity against Styles.
Last week on SmackDown, AJ Styles and Drew Gulak were scheduled for an Intercontinental Championship match, but the match did not happen. If push comes to shove, they will probably have the title match on this week’s SmackDown instead.
Evidently, Gulak is not winning the championship because Styles is currently in a long-term feud with Matt Riddle. Riddle pinned Styles two weeks ago on SmackDown and should be getting a championship opportunity against Styles after Gulak.
Henceforth, Styles should retain the championship against Gulak, if this match takes place on this week’s SmackDown. According to Gulak, the match is still on as far as he knows. This victory should give Styles the momentum he needs for his future title match against Riddle at any upcoming PPVs, whether it be Extreme Rules or SummerSlam.
As for the real Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn, it would be a Nirvana fallacy to assume that he will return and win his championship back from Styles. WWE logic shows that the more realistic alternative is that Zayn loses his spot on the card (despite promising everyone that they won’t) while Styles thrives as IC Champion.
Prediction: AJ Styles