10 Predictions For WWE's Direction After SummerSlam 2016
3. AJ Styles: Number One Contender
Like Ziggler and Ambrose before them, John Cena and AJ Styles engaged in an enthralling war of the words on last week’s SmackDown. It resulted in a singles match being booked between the two for SummerSlam, and with the duo tied-up at one pinfall apiece on the last two PPVs, Cena and Styles look set to settle their differences.
Both victories have a caveat attached. Styles’ came following The Club’s interference, and Cena’s took place as part of a six-man tag match, meaning that both wrestlers have a convenient excuse for their loss. We can not only expect a clean finish at SummerSlam, but we can expect Styles to go over, and establish himself as SmackDown’s de facto number one contender following the PPV.
All signs point towards John Cena winding down his highly successful wrestling career. The multi-time WWE Champion has been pulled from most road appearances, and with a career in Hollywood looking more and more likely, Cena’s days of dominance appear to be over. He’s still the biggest wrestler on the planet and WWE’s biggest money maker, but it’s time for him to step aside and let others take the spotlight.
That’s exactly what he’ll do at SummerSlam. Styles is 39, but he’s never been a better worker than he is today, and the fans have really taken to him since his January debut. He’s the right man to elevate into a main event slot, and an outstanding potential long-term rival for the champion Ambrose.
Look for him to be a constant fixture in the WWE Title scene running through the rest of the year, starting after SummerSlam.