Reviving underrated WrestleMania feud; helping former Universal Champion? - 3 things AJ Styles can do on WWE SmackDown if he returns tonightÂ
AJ Styles hasn't been on WWE SmackDown in months now. However, that could change tonight.
After a five-year stay on FOX, SmackDown will be returning to the USA Network. During the blue brand's last stint on USA, AJ Styles was one of the cornerstones of the Friday night show. His United States and WWE Championship wins in 2017 are a testament to just how essential The Phenomenal One was to that era of SmackDown.
Therefore, it would totally make sense for the Georgia native to make his WWE television return on tonight's highly-anticipated edition of SmackDown. But a star of Styles' caliber shouldn't return on a forgettable note. The fans have been looking forward to his comeback, and thus, it should be done in an impactful manner.
On that note, here are three things the 47-year-old legend can do if he returns to WWE tonight on the blue brand.
#3 Reveal himself as Kevin Owens' mystery partner
Kevin Owens recently decided to take a break from feuding with The Bloodline to rough up the brash duo of Austin Theory and Grayson Waller.
This conflict led to the announcement of a Tag-Team Match pitting A-Town Down Under against the Grand Slam Champion and a surprise partner. Fans are pretty confident that Owens' partner tonight will be none other than Randy Orton.
Yes, all signs and reasons do point to Orton helping out the former Universal Champion tonight. However, WWE has a habit of taking the unpredictable route sometimes. As a result, KO's surprise tag-team partner could just be his former foe and industry veteran, AJ Styles.
Having already wrestled both Waller and Theory before, Styles' participation in tonight's tag-team bout could be the start of a babyface run for him. Needless to say, the French branch of WWE Universe already showed that there is an appetite for Styles on the babyface side of the roster.
#2 Enter the WWE United States Championship picture by attacking the winner of Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
Over the past several weeks, Andrade and Carmelo Hayes have managed to cultivate a rivalry that has fans guessing their next moves.
As a part of said program, the gifted wrestlers have wrestled each other four times, with each bagging two victories. Tonight, they will go head-to-head for the fifth time, and it's safe to assume that the winner will be the next in line to face LA Knight for the United States Championship.
But what if tonight's win alone doesn't guarantee a title shot for either Andrade or Hayes? What if there's a 'phenomenal' hurdle placed in their title journey the moment they begin to think that their path to championship glory is a smooth road?
If AJ Styles makes his return to WWE television tonight, he could instantly resume his underrated WrestleMania XL feud against LA Knight. Luckily for The Lone Wolf, The Megastar wouldn't make the returnee wait for long before offering him a title shot.
After all, LA Knight has yet to avenge his loss against Styles from the April 19, 2024 edition of SmackDown.
#1 Rekindle his tag team with Omos
Sometimes, the answer to 'what's next?' lies in what has already been done before. That could be the case with AJ Styles' impending return too.
In late 2020, The Phenomenal One joined forces with The Nigerian Giant, Omos. The duo wasted no time to embark on a dominant run that continued well until their split. Now, nearly three years after they went their separate ways, neither is currently part of any gripping storylines.
Thus, WWE has the option to reform their alliance as early as tonight. Their potential addition to SmackDown's tag-team scene would be a much-needed shot in the arm for the division.
Recently, MVP stressed about the potential that the 7'3" WWE Superstar boasts of. As for AJ Styles, his accomplishments in this sport are simply unmatched. Therefore, a reunion of the two gifted yet directionless stars could be a great move.