5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (23 Jan - Results & Review)

3. AJ Styles Gets A Pointless Match

Fair warning! Some will disagree with this 'Down' and start looking out the pitchforks due to the criticism, but it felt pretty disappointing that Nick Aldis invited AJ Styles to SmackDown to line up a SNME match vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Like, that was it? That's why he brought AJ to Friday nights. Did he even consult with Raw GM Adam Pearce about any of this?!

Styles is winding down his WWE career and there’s still talks he’ll be done after the match with Gunther at Royal Rumble, so they’re clearly squeezing one last bout vs. Nakamura in. It feels unnecessary. Yes, giving AJ some olive branches and making him happy during this retirement sprint is important, but this match has come completely out of left field and lacks spice.

It isn't like Shin has been doing much of note on his own, and now he's crammed awkwardly in as a tune up match for Styles before the 'Phenomenal One' wrestles Gunther. Why? Just why? The whole deal is terribly rushed, and it's not like there was any clamouring from the fanbase for a rematch. Michael Cole called it years in the making, which is a stretch.

Pointless would sum it up.

If anything, Styles shouldn't be wrestling again until he goes at it with Gunther. Accepting this makes him look foolish. Some may argue brave instead, but it's senseless. WWE are padding SNME and nothing more. The least they could've done was have Gunther promise Naka a pay off if he injures AJ. The least.