Predicting The Next 10 WWE Champions

9. AJ Styles (SummerSlam 2017)

Shinsuke nakamura
WWE.com

A prolonged Mahal vs. Corbin program following Baron’s title victory would do nothing for SmackDown’s struggling ratings (and plummeting enthusiasm levels), and WWE would be wise to steer away from such a feud. Instead, they might as well throw the new champion against the most exciting wrestler in the company, who’d almost certainly bring the best out of ‘The Lone Wolf’ in a pay-per-view main event.

The title changing hands at SummerSlam would mean a disappointingly short first reign for Corbin, but WWE must maximise Styles while he’s at his peak. Now 40 years old, he can’t keep defying Father Time forever, and he’s likely going to slow down sooner rather than later. WWE must push him into main event programs whenever they can, and after carrying the blue brand for much of 2016, making him WWE Champion again could be exactly what SmackDown needs to recover.

From there, WWE can book the rest of SmackDown’s year around AJ defending his belt in big-time pay-per-view matches. Given the way the Title has been booked throughout 2017, it desperately needs a high-workrate run from SD’s best wrestler - and another strong Styles reign would go a long way to making it feel prestigious again.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.