Predicting The Next 10 WWE Champions

5. AJ Styles (Survivor Series 2018)

Shinsuke nakamura
WWE

There should be plenty of fresh booking options for Shinsuke Nakamura as WWE Champion.

He can reprise his old NXT rivalry with Bobby Roode, fend off new opponents like Kevin Owens, or even give John Cena a big rematch on pay-per-view. We’ve not seen the best of his work on the main roster yet, but making him SmackDown’s top dog should change that, and assuming he retains his popularity, Nakamura will make a great figurehead for the brand.

While WWE rarely book face vs. face programs, AJ Styles would be the perfect guy for him to eventually drop the title to. The duo wrestled an absolutely outstanding match at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 10 in January 2016, and assuming they haven’t declined by November 2018, this Survivor Series bout should at least feature near the top of WWE’s Match Of The Year list.

The company could even turn Styles ahead of the contest, making for a more traditional heel vs. face dynamic. Either way, if AJ and Shinsuke produce the kind of fight they’re capable of, they’re going to have the crowd buzzing throughout, and will close WWE’s last big PPV of 2018 on an incredible high note.

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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.