WWE News: Update On Who Is Next For AJ Styles Following His Big Win Over Dean Ambrose At ‘WWE TLC’
WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles managed to retain his title against Dean Ambrose, with a little help by James Ellsworth. Yeah, you read that right. Ellsworth, the man who has been physically destroyed by Styles as often as possible and as recently as this past Tuesday, helped the man retain the title. On Talking Smack, he would tell WWE SmackDown Live GM Daniel Bryan and Renee Young that he did it because he knew he had Styles’ number and could beat him.
James has beaten AJ three times in a row and does have a World Title match that he can get at any point. He screwed his friend Dean over by pushing him off a ladder through tables just because he felt he could beat AJ. Keep in mind, he has only beaten AJ three times BECAUSE of Ambrose’s interference in all three matches. Without him there to help, there is no way James will win.
The issue going forward is that WWE has to build to The Royal Rumble on the blue brand. However, they do have to waste a bit of time because they’re further away from the event than WWE RAW is due to their brand PPV happening later this month. This is why they’re doing the Ellsworth/Styles match right now, as they need to waste a bit of time. Do not be shocked if something major happens at the end of the event, however.
According to various reports, the plan for AJ Styles heading into The Royal Rumble is to face The Undertaker at the event with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line. The reason for this is really two fold. The first reason is because the match is happening in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Undertaker is a native Texan who last performed in Dallas at WrestleMania 32 where many thought he had his final match at the time.
This seems to be the real last run for The Deadman, so one more title match is something fans would want to see. Plus obviously Undertaker and AJ Styles both want to work with each other. With fans and both men wanting it, I don’t think it’s wise to not give it to everyone. WWE is smart with the idea and realize that this might be the best option.
It gives us a major match at a major event, but also in a stadium they want to sell out and do well in. While both Brock Lesnar and Goldberg are set to go at inside the Rumble match itself, WWE would love to have Undertaker present as it would only increase interest in the event. Plus who could really be against the idea of The Phenom vs The Phenomenal One?
The theory among experts is that Styles will end up retaining in the match, which makes a lot of sense. Now more than ever before, it seems WWE is leaning toward Undertaker/John Cena at WrestleMania 33. This very well could be the last match for The Undertaker, and it appears that John Cena will be taking time off a little after the event. This means another World Championship would not make a lot of sense for him at this time.
That means a World Title match where he beats Undertaker for the championship like many assume could happen is not in the cards right now at least. WWE would most likely give AJ Styles someone to work with at WrestleMania 32 that makes sense past these two. Right now, that could be Dolph Ziggler due to the way storylines are progressing. However, we still have to wait around to see where things go after the Royal Rumble event.
[Featured Image by WWE]
