WWE News: AJ Styles Vs. Chris Jericho Rematch Set For ‘SmackDown’ Next Week – Jericho Heel Turn Coming?


AJ Styles is one of the hottest stars WWE has at the moment, and since his debut at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, WWE has done a great job with “The Phenomenal One,” as he is yet to lose a one-on-one match.

Styles’ first match on RAW was against WWE legend Chris Jericho, who returned to the company back in January. It was Jericho’s first match on WWE television since his return, and while the match didn’t turn out to be an all-time classic, it was certainly the best match on that night’s show, and you can bet that the matches between the two will only get better with time, as both Jericho and Styles could be the two best in-ring performers of their generation.

An AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho rematch seemed inevitable following their somewhat heated handshake following their RAW match, and most expected the initial rematch to take place at this month’s WWE Fastlane pay-per-view, and while the two may mix it up on that show, they’re set to have their first of what will probably be many rematches on next week’s SmackDown.

AJ Styles WWE
(Image via WWE)

AJ Styles took on The Miz on this week’s episode of SmackDown, which was a match that was set up on Monday’s RAW, where The Miz verbally ran down Styles, which led to “The Phenomenal One” putting the boots to the former WWE Champion.

Styles ended up defeating The Miz on SmackDown using his submission hold known as the Calf Crusher. After the match, Chris Jericho, who joined Mauro Ranallo, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Byron Saxton on commentary during the contest, grabbed the microphone, entered the ring, and challenged Styles to a rematch on next week’s SmackDown show, which was a challenge that Styles accepted. This led to yet another heated handshake between the two.

There has been some speculation over the last couple of weeks that WWE is planning to have Chris Jericho turn heel, and his match against Styles next week could be the beginning of “Y2J” going over to the heel side once again.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has suggested that Jericho will end up losing to Styles twice in a row, which will lead to the former turning heel. Then, at WWE Fastlane, Jericho will defeat Styles in a heelish manner, which will setup yet another match between the two at WrestleMania 32, which Styles will presumably win.

There have been a ton of ideas and speculation surrounding what Styles’ role will be at WrestleMania 32, and who his opponent will be at the event. Some have even suggested that Styles will end up wrestling the returning John Cena at AT&T Stadium this coming April. Of course, you never know what’s going to end up happening, because WWE is constantly changing things. But it seems like they’re heading in the direction of Styles vs. Jericho for WrestleMania 32.

Chris Jericho WWE
(Image via WWE)

There was also some speculation that Jericho would end up wrestling a heel Dean Ambrose this coming spring, as Ambrose eliminated Jericho from the Royal Rumble match, and while it’s extremely likely that Ambrose will be a heel following WWE Fastlane, he and Jericho, at least for now, don’t seem to be on a collision course.

One thing that would make sense for WrestleMania 32 is a triple-threat match for the Intercontinental Championship, which would involve Dean Ambrose defending against both Chris Jericho and AJ Styles, and of course, Styles would end up winning the match, and winning his first ever championship in WWE.

If Styles were to end up winning the IC Title, the belt would instantly regain prestige, much like when John Cena held the United States Championship.

(Featured image via WWE)

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