WWE Royal Rumble 2019: 10 Things We Learned

7. AJ Styles' Time Atop SmackDown Is Temporarily Done

AJ Styles has some direction. Unfortunately, it's a downward one.

A supreme, elite level worker like AJ is belongs in the mix for an upper card spot. He's earned his stripes in WWE, become a multi-time champion and proved to be Mr. Reliable against all comers. Post-Rumble however, WWE may wish to make use of his skills to help enhance someone else rather than keep him in the title picture.

There's a sense that Styles' story with Daniel Bryan is close to a conclusion, and there's an even bigger sense that AJ isn't dethroning everyone's favourite bearded eco warrior. That's especially true now Bryan has a bodyguard (the returning Erick Rowan). Both, despite excellent matches, need something fresh to do.

For Bryan, that means moving on to a new challenger. For AJ, it means dropping down a notch on the SmackDown pecking order and, again, challenging himself by working to enhance a newcomer's reputation with fans.