WHO Should AJ Styles Face At WWE SummerSlam 2018?
After a gripping match on this week's show, Andrade 'Cien' Almas has propelled himself to a level on SmackDown Live! most people believe he should have come in at in the first place. Promoted from NXT in the post-WrestleMania gold rush after a remarkable 2017-18 turnaround alongside vital aide Zeilna Vega, Almas' dynamic contests with Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black and others were a revelation after a muddled arrival. It may seem too soon for Almas to ascend, but a precedent exists for Vince McMahon to take a chance at this time of year. 2016 saw Finn Bálor score Universal Title glory in the same number of WWE matches it took Hulk Hogan to win his first crown in 1984, whilst Jinder Mahal's win over Shinsuke Nakamura at last year's summer supercard was the biggest indicator that the company were going with 'The Maharaja' for the dispiritingly long haul.
Braun Strowman's Money In The Bank briefcase is green, not red, and whilst most logical outcomes point towards him cashing in on Brock Lesnar or whomever rescues the red strap from 'The Beast's grasp, he is a 'Monster Among Men' that can do exactly as he pleases. May Paige have pulled off yet another coup in wrestling away Raw's hottest act for her SummerSlam main event whilst Kurt Angle was busy pinning his misguided hopes on either Bobby Lashley or Roman Reigns saving the day? Strowman isn't even a man that needs to 'cash in'. He can use his contract to take a shot well in advance and still be in an incredibly advantageous position even if both are fresh at the bell.
These choices discount wild cards and even wilder suggestions - could a low-totem-poled performer appear as if from nowhere as Jinder Mahal did last year? Daniel Bryan, The Miz, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy and Shinsuke Nakmura are otherwise engaged in August - a huge opportunity potentially awaits at the top table. Could the New Day work the mystery man magic they employed before Money In The Bank? Might Rusev power out of his hidden hole to beg his boss for "One More Machka"? R-Truth rediscovered bluetooth in a comedy segment this week, but could he rediscover a Number One contender slot he hilariously only held once? And where the f*ck is Neville and why the f*ck is he not in Brooklyn to dish out a match-of-the-year candidate against 'The Phenomenal One'?
WWE has steered itself so hard into one creative cul-de-sac after another this year that faith in finding a satisfying outcome in any storyline is becoming obsolte. Choosing AJ's opponent well and wisely with weeks to wait would go a long way to restoring much of what's been lost.