WWE Draft 2017: 10 Trades To Expect

1. AJ Styles To Raw

New Day Smackdown
WWE.com

AJ Styles' name has been everyone’s lips since news of WWE’s roster changes first leaked. The Phenomenal One is reportedly been on his way to Raw, and after burning his bridges with the SmackDown hierarchy, the timing is perfect. Daniel Bryan has lost all respect for him, Shane McMahon was defeated by him at WrestleMania, and while AJ has angled for a shot at Randy Orton’s WWE Championship, it’s probably not going to happen under the current leadership.

The most likely outcome is that SmackDown will trade Styles for Seth Rollins, which isn’t exactly like-for-like, but will help mitigate the damage caused by AJ’s departure. AJ has practically carried the show since July, and losing him will be incredibly sore for the brand, but should at least allow The Miz to take his role as SD’s top heel.

There are almost endless possibilities for Styles on Raw. He can rekindle his alliance with Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows as The Club, and possibly even bring Finn Balor into the fold. Styles vs. Brock Lesnar has “PPV main event” written all over it, meanwhile, and feuds with the likes of Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens have a lot of potential. Trading AJ Styles is the biggest move WWE can make next Monday, and at this stage, the likeliest.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.