Predicting The Next 5 WWE Champions

3. AJ Styles (WrestleMania 34)

Kevin Owens United States Champion
WWE

The AJ Styles/Kevin Owens rivalry started promisingly, but was ultimately dismantled by Shane McMahon, who's meddling ways saw it become nothing more than a set-up for the Commissioner's feud with KO. It wasn't given a proper conclusion, and the matches were continually spoiled by over-booking. Thus, they deserve another shot.

'The Phenomenal One' should have lost the United States Title by this point, passing it on to a Rusev or Baron Corbin sometime during the winter. Roman Reigns will likely win the Royal Rumble, but a strong showing would give AJ the momentum to challenge his former rival afterwards, falling to Owens on SmackDown's pre-WrestleMania pay-per-view, before rematching on the biggest show of the year.

It'd be a fantastic showdown. Styles hasn't been given the opportunity to have a truly great 'Mania bout yet, and he'd likely pull out all the stops against an opponent who's more than good enough to keep up, making this a strong 'Match Of The Night' contender. AJ would go over, capturing his second WWE Championship at 40 years old, and repairing whatever damage still remained from Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, and Jinder Mahal's destructive 2016 reigns.

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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.