3 Potential challengers for AJ Styles' WWE Championship
The name AJ Styles means high octane wrestling all around. Ever since the hottest free agent signed with the WWE in January 2016, he has been involved in a number of high profile storylines. Not only has he delivered back to back solid performances against the likes of John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Chris Jericho and many more, but he has also established SmackDown live as the 'House that AJ Styles Built'.
However, his recent feud with Shinsuke Nakamura fell well short of expectations. Their dream match at Wrestlemania 34 couldn't recreate the magic of their previous contest at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and ended in a clean win for the Phenomenal One after which the King of Strong Style turned heel and assaulted styles.
Since then, they have had two matches, both of which had controversial endings. WWE might have another go at their match at Money in the Bank but it is highly unlikely of them to pull the trigger on their 4th match and put the belt on Nakamura.
So after - and if - Styles defends his title at Money in the bank, here is a list of three potential challengers who might come after his gold.
#3 Rusev
The Bulgarian Brute has been one of the most underutilized men on the WWE roster. However, that time seems to be up as he recorded a shock win over Daniel Bryan this past week on Smackdown Live to qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder match.
Time and again he has proved that he is a force to be reckoned with in the ring. From his undefeated streak, which lasted almost a year and included a 146-day reign as the WWE Unites States champion, to his stint with the League of Nations, he has delivered a number of great performances.
Rusev’s shot at the WWE Championship makes a lot more sense now as the Bulgarian’s ‘Rusev Day’ gimmick has gained a lot of momentum lately. His merchandise sales are soaring and the fans seem to love and adore his new gimmick. This surge in his popularity made him a perfect fit to place him in a Casket match against the Undertaker.
Vince McMahon might well want to use this opportunity in the near future to give the viewers a quality wrestling match in Rusev vs Styles.