8 New Directions For WWE Champion AJ Styles

5. A Chance For Redemption

AJ Styles WWE SmackDown
WWE.com

The summer series between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens was a monumental disappointment.

The impression that the two men were holding something back for the rubber bout dented the quality of their Backlash encounter. Regrettably, there was no reason to hold back; it transpired that the feud existed as an hors d'oeuvre before the main course that was KO Vs. Shane O'Mac. Styles' Battleground botch was almost understandable, even for such a consummate pro. The layout was so harebrained as to be contagious; we had to accept, in order to buy into the drama, that the referee suffered a mid-match lobotomy purely to justify Shane's Special Guest Referee slot at SummerSlam. Styles was no more than a supporting player in Brooklyn.

Owens has since expressed his disappointment with the programme. He knew they were capable of far better. We know they're capable of far better - to such an extent that few would complain, if WWE pressed the reset button and allowed the two exceptional performers a clear platform on which to steal the show at December's Clash of Champions.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!