10 Problems WWE Solved With The 2019 Superstar Shake-Up

2. A New Start For AJ Styles

AJ Styles Raw
WWE.com

Up until this week, AJ Styles had been a SmackDown Superstar for the best part of three years.

Sent to the show as part of the July 2016 draft, he was quick to declare Team Blue "the house that AJ Styles built," justifying the apparent arrogance with standout early performances against Dean Ambrose, from whom he took his first WWE Championship. Disappointing feuds with James Ellsworth and Kevin Owens followed, but AJ reasserted himself in 2017, ending Jinder Mahal's horrific WWE Title reign before embarking on a year-long run of his own, eventually dropping the strap to Daniel Bryan, then signing off with a WrestleMania 35 victory over Randy Orton.

AJ, like Alexander on 205 Live, had done everything on SmackDown. He needed a fresh start more than almost anyone else on the roster, and all kinds of exciting possibilities await him on Raw.

Expect Styles to play a similar role on Monday nights. He won't always be Universal Champion or an immediate contender, but he'll carry on as one of WWE's most consistent in-ring performers, a fan favourite, and a pushed commodity.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.