WHO Should AJ Styles Face At WWE SummerSlam 2018?

John Cena was a haunting presence earlier this year. Before dedicating the final WrestleMania run-in to the banter as part of his laughable feud with The Undertaker, 'The Champ' turned spoiler. Steering into the boos he knew he'd receive for openly attempting to rip apart a 'Dream Match', Cena told audiences he'd take AJ Styles' WWE Championship in order to co-main event the 'Show Of Shows' against Shinsuke Nakamura.

Ultimately he failed of course, but the tension he summoned out of thin air for what would have been a record-breaking title victory was a keen reminder of just how easily he could be slotted into a topline programme.

Furthermore, WWE are in a rare position where they can show rather than being forced to tell. We've been here before. Cena and Styles engaged in several excellent efforts in 2016 ahead of 'The Phenomenal One' winning his first top strap, then put together a minor classic at 2017's Royal Rumble to give 'Big Match John' his "record-setting" 16th reign. It's already been addressed in kayfabe that a) John Cena can go wherever the f*ck he likes at any time and b) Paige is an alarmingly efficient General Manager - both could conspire to see the former NXT Women's Champion unleash 'The Champ' as AJ's opponent.

A high profile singles match on pay-per-view would be a first with Styles as a beloved babyface, too. AJ's guile in the face of the various threats he's overcome since last November has been a weapon as profound as his Phenomenal Forearm. He has ways and means of beating anybody - not least a fly-by-night part-timer looking to rewrite history at his expense.

The pieces fit...if John Cena actually wants it. Others eagerly await if Cena can't be a*sed, with one 'Traqulio' foe perhaps a little less laid back than he may have first appeared...