10 Big WWE Predictions For The Road To WrestleMania 33
5. AJ Styles Falls Down The Pecking Order
AJ Styles vs. John Cena was one of the best matches that WWE have produced in years, and after falling to AJ at SummerSlam, Cena proved that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks. Cena rallied to put the champ away with two more AAs, secure his 16th world championship, and put his name alongside Ric Flair's in the (admittedly fudged) record books.
Styles will have a chance at regaining his title inside the Elimination Chamber. It looks increasingly likely that he is set for a period away from the title scene, however, and WWE’s plans for him are extremely worrying.
AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon is a match nobody wants to see, but it’s almost certainly happening. If anyone can drag Shane to a half-decent match these days, it’s AJ, but the booking still feels like a huge misuse of one of the best wrestlers in the world. Shane’s match with The Undertaker was a complete trainwreck last year, and for all his positive qualities, he just can’t compete in the ring anymore.
It’s far from a burial, but AJ is going to have to be content with life on the midcard for the next few months. Other wrestlers will seize the spotlight, and he’ll have no choice but to clash with his brand’s Commissioner. A shame, but one that’s entirely unavoidable.