Hard Hit Prince
Not really working as a
The John Cena vs. AJ Styles program deserves the praise it's been getting. Great matches, great promos and it does bring out the best of both performers in all aspects. Even the writers seem to be having a blast with this story. Some 5 years ago, I've always thought this feud would happen in different circumstances, like WCW's invasion with of course TNA. Both leading men of their respective brands and both highly respected for it (if I'm not mistaken, they've traded jabs in the past too).
Currently, however, the story surrounds John Cena and AJ Styles place in the WWE John Cena not being able to hang with the new indy generation and AJ Styles getting disrespected and disregarded as a flavor of the month (which does not seem to be the case). It's a different perspective to see the original "Face That Runs The Place" and it's against one of the best performers in the world right now. Really cool.
But onto the title of the thread, I think this feud can only end with AJ Styles getting the respect he deserves and thus a face turn (win or lose at the Royal Rumble). It's not an heel that doesn't deserve it despite of his booking, it's an heel that has been going strong since his debut with really cool programs being highlighted, such as Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns and even Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose and James Ellsworth getting something out of it. It's the respect of being a leading man on SmackDown Live! and being entertaining for the WWE fans.
It all seemed to start with James Ellsworth getting his due for turning on Dean Ambrose at TLC. He got to have a fair and square match and beat the tar out of an annoying cockroach that turned and costed a beloved babyface the WWE Championship. Later, he had some confrontations with The Miz (the one true heel on SmackDown) that resulted in a really cool match and a good prospect of feud down the line. He also had that three way with Corbin and Ziggler, with a good back and forth with the "Lone Wolf".
Dolph Ziggler turned heel. Baron Corbin is building his cred. The Miz is on his A-Game, Bray Wyatt is getting more of a spotlight and a possible WWE Championship if rumors happen to be true. Those three seem to be able to handle the villain part and if Samoa Joe debuts at the Rumble, you can add him too. The babyface side however has John Cena who for all intents and purposes is doing more and more work elsewhere, Dean Ambrose carrying the load and right after that you can add Kane (who isn't around), maybe Randy Orton even though he's on a weird grey area, and Kalisto/Apollo Crews. That only seems to be pointing for an AJ babyface turn.
He gets to challenge new competitors such as The Miz, Bray Wyatt and Samoa Joe which in turn freshens him up for at least a year. It's an annoyance that we don't have the Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles feud though as I feel this two could make people lose their shit too. Specially if they let Orton lose on his viciousness.
That's it. I'm calling for an AJ Styles babyface turn somewhere before WrestleMania 33 or at the very latest, the first SmackDown after that. He'll eventually #SaveUpJohnCena. It would be pretty rad to see a Bray/Orton vs. Cena/Styles tag match. What do you guys think?
Currently, however, the story surrounds John Cena and AJ Styles place in the WWE John Cena not being able to hang with the new indy generation and AJ Styles getting disrespected and disregarded as a flavor of the month (which does not seem to be the case). It's a different perspective to see the original "Face That Runs The Place" and it's against one of the best performers in the world right now. Really cool.
But onto the title of the thread, I think this feud can only end with AJ Styles getting the respect he deserves and thus a face turn (win or lose at the Royal Rumble). It's not an heel that doesn't deserve it despite of his booking, it's an heel that has been going strong since his debut with really cool programs being highlighted, such as Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns and even Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose and James Ellsworth getting something out of it. It's the respect of being a leading man on SmackDown Live! and being entertaining for the WWE fans.
It all seemed to start with James Ellsworth getting his due for turning on Dean Ambrose at TLC. He got to have a fair and square match and beat the tar out of an annoying cockroach that turned and costed a beloved babyface the WWE Championship. Later, he had some confrontations with The Miz (the one true heel on SmackDown) that resulted in a really cool match and a good prospect of feud down the line. He also had that three way with Corbin and Ziggler, with a good back and forth with the "Lone Wolf".
Dolph Ziggler turned heel. Baron Corbin is building his cred. The Miz is on his A-Game, Bray Wyatt is getting more of a spotlight and a possible WWE Championship if rumors happen to be true. Those three seem to be able to handle the villain part and if Samoa Joe debuts at the Rumble, you can add him too. The babyface side however has John Cena who for all intents and purposes is doing more and more work elsewhere, Dean Ambrose carrying the load and right after that you can add Kane (who isn't around), maybe Randy Orton even though he's on a weird grey area, and Kalisto/Apollo Crews. That only seems to be pointing for an AJ babyface turn.
He gets to challenge new competitors such as The Miz, Bray Wyatt and Samoa Joe which in turn freshens him up for at least a year. It's an annoyance that we don't have the Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles feud though as I feel this two could make people lose their shit too. Specially if they let Orton lose on his viciousness.
That's it. I'm calling for an AJ Styles babyface turn somewhere before WrestleMania 33 or at the very latest, the first SmackDown after that. He'll eventually #SaveUpJohnCena. It would be pretty rad to see a Bray/Orton vs. Cena/Styles tag match. What do you guys think?
